Common Insects in Saudi Arabian Households & How to Get Rid of Them

Being predominantly a desert, Saudi Arabia sees temperature increases to above 120 degrees in the summer. The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia recorded 6,000 cases of dengue fever in 2015. It led to the death of as many as six people. It is seen as a more dangerous threat for the country than the Zika virus at present.

The growing number of pests and diseases has given a boost to the pesticide and agro-chemical market in the country. The consumption of insecticides reached over 3,000 tonnes of active ingredients in 2014. This industry is expected to see a compound annual growth of 4.1% by 2020, due to the outperformance of agricultural industry.

If you have small children at home, then things become more difficult to manage. Even the smallest insects, like ants, can cause some harm. The question is, how to get rid of ants or any other insect for that matter? Here are a few insects that are commonly found in households and ways to eliminate them.

Flies

They may not be the most dangerous pests but they are definitely the most annoying ones. They can be found in food scraps, open septic tanks, lawn clippings and dirty benches and tables.

Diseases Caused:

• Salmonellosis
• Trachoma
• Shingellosis

How to Get Rid of Flies?

• Wrap food nice and tight, rather than leaving it open
• Empty all bins on a regular basis and keep them covered
• Clean toilets daily
• Make sure the septic tanks and leach drains are not damaged

Mosquitoes

Out of all the insects found at home, mosquitoes can cause the most harm. They suck blood from people, pets and livestock.

Diseases Caused:

• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes:

• Put a lid on water tanks
• Don't allow dirty water to collect in one place
• Use insect repellents on exposed skin
• Use repellant sprays for the home

The best way to avoid diseases caused by mosquitoes is to make sure that they stay out of your home.

Ants

Ants belong the family of Formicidae and eusocial ants. There are 22,000 species of ants in the world and the only place without indigenous ants is Antarctica.

Damage Caused:

·         Raid stored food

·         Damage indoor structures of houses and buildings

·         Harm agricultural crops

·         Sting bites

How to Get Rid of Ants?

• Insecticidal bait
• Sprays
• Ant Powder

The process, however, differs for different locations and households. Physical, chemical as well as biological methods are used to manage ant populations.