Masa, Saudi Arabia’s top pest control specialist, has reported success in its operations in the Eastern Province and contract renewals from clients.

The company has identified termites, mosquitoes and flies as the main pests ravaging the province and is in the process of importing powerful remedies to supplement others already in use or replace those withdrawn, said president of the company Mousaied S Al Shieshakly.

“Subterranean termites have been infesting the province because of particularly high humidity. In such conditions they proliferate as they go in search of plant material cellulose,” Al Shieshakly observed.

Following the banning of some chemicals after the Saudi government moved to amend pesticide regulations, Masa is at work to have alternate pesticides registered. One of the chemicals it will be introducing in the Eastern Province is Imidacloprid which Masa R&D entomologist Naimul Hasan says is an ideal remedy and a more economical one compared with the expensive formulations available in the kingdom.

“The presence of relatively abundant water in the province has caused mosquitoes and flies to be more rampant than in other regions of the kingdom, but Masa is well-placed with equipment and chemicals to beat the problem,” says Hasan.

The Eastern Province is important to Masa as it is the source of 60 per cent of its income. The company has posted 70 well-trained and professional staff there to protect people from disease and to revitalise the environment.

“While subterranean termites are the main cause of damage to timber and structures, proper planning and execution can make buildings termite-proof,” says Hasan.

Mosquitoes are notorious for spreading parasitic diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, filariasis or elephantiasis. Masa’s response to the challenge is a combination of fogging and larviciding in stagnant water areas.

Eradication programmes

Masa has conducted successful eradication programmes in populated areas and at sites where food is prepared and handled. The progammes have covered restaurants, airports, ships, poultry farms, clubs, shopping complexes, educational institutions, hotels, palaces, luxury villas and apartments. The target pests are mosquitoes, flies, bed bugs, termites, garden pests, cockroaches, rodents, snakes and even wild and stray animals.

The company’s clients include Saudi Archirodon, Gulf Packaging, Crown Plaza Hotel, Petrocon Arabia, Arasco Camp, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ahmad Hamad Al Gosaibi and Brothers, Al Yamama, United Food Industries, Al Mudaidib Foods, Saudi Pan Gulf and the Psychiatric and Addictions Hospital in Dammam.

“Most have renewed their contracts this year and many new clients have come in because of the quality of our service and staff dedication towards resolving pest issues,” said Al Shieshakly.

From its Eastern Province operations, Masa collected SR6 million ($1.6 million) from sales against SR5.2 million in the previous year.

“To promote a happy environment, we are advising our clients not to tolerate pests but to be decisive and tell us what their problem is,” said Al Shieshakly.

Meanwhile the company is making a strong pitch for its services at trade fairs throughout the year all over Saudi Arabia. It will be present in November at the Saudi Real Estate and Housing Exhibition in Dammam.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Masa has grown from its headquarters in Riyadh with branches across the kingdom including Buraidah, Tabuk, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Abha and Gizan plus the Eastern Province branches of Dammam, Al Ahsa (Hofuf) and Jubail.

The company is active in developing the skills of its staff and it accomplishes this with the help of international pest management organisations such as the British Pest Control Association, Entomological Society of America and the International Maritime Fumigation Organisation.