Local fly population on the increase

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RESIDENTS in Basseterre and those within proximity of the Conaree landfill have recently complained about a proliferation of flies in these areas.

The popular opinion expressed was that the landfill was the cause of the over-abundance of pesky insects; however Sidney Matthew of the Solid Waste Authority disagreed with this view.

“The landfill has absolutely nothing to do with an increase in flies. Everything has a season. At a certain time each year we’re going to see more flies, millipedes, etcetera, especially with the amount of rain we’ve been having.

“The landfill has been there since 2002. It has never been associated with such an issue,” he told SKNVibes. ~~Adz:Right~~

Dr. Patrick Martin, Chief Medical Officer of St. Kitts and Nevis, highlighted other areas of concern that may be contributing to this pest problem, including unhygienic practices, the rearing of animals in residential areas and the indiscriminate disposal of waste.

“Flies follow organic matter and where this matter is dumped in inappropriate places or people practice unsanitary methods, such as disposing of filthy diapers in the open, the occurrence of flies will only increase.”

Dr. Martin encouraged people to be vigilant and to report instances of excessive flies to the relevant authorities. He also noted that the Environmental Health Department is doing its best to reduce these occurrences.