Kuantan villagers plagued by flies
KUANTAN: Folks of Kampung Alor Batu, Jabor here, numbering about 1,200, have been plagued by flies which have invaded their village and affecting their day-today activities, allegedly stemming from a poultry farm nearby.
Village Development and Security Committee chairman, Mohd Rosli Yusop, said the problem had dragged on for almost 20 years and houses and eateries were always swarmed by flies, which was really disgusting and affecting people’s health.
“The situation is getting worse every time the chickens are taken out of the coops for sale because then the coop will be washed and sprayed, causing the insects to fly towards the village.
“Various measures have been taken by the residents to address the problem, including calling the Health Department to provide advice, checks and giving sprays as well as repellents to eradicate the pests but all are in vain,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“The entrepreneurs are still using the old method of breeding in open hen houses. This is in contrast to the latest method in which chicken are reared in closed coops and this will definitely prevent any breeding of insects including flies. We are forced to live in an extremely uncomfortable condition,” Mohd Rosli said.
A stall owner, Saroddin Sidek, 46, said his income and that of other food traders in the area was affected as customers were disgusted with the ever-present flies at their premises.
“Who wants to eat amongst thousands of flies in our stalls, food and beverage being served have to be covered to prevent insects from getting in. I have used various insect repellents and methods to get rid of them but they still keep coming back no matter what,” he said.
A resident, Rahmah Ali, 38, said, “Imagine if there is a feast here, surely the guests who are present, especially the outsiders, are uncomfortable and some of them are worried about getting sick when it comes to savouring the prepared dishes because there are so many flies around”. - Bernama