Autumn deratization begins in Sarajevo Canton

(Patria) - In accordance with the Program of mandatory, preventive systematic deratization in the Sarajevo Canton for the period 2023–2025, the second – autumn phase of deratization will be carried out in the period from October 1 to November 30, 2025.

For the successful implementation of this measure, it is necessary for the deratization to be carried out as soon as possible and simultaneously throughout the entire Sarajevo Canton. The measure is mandatory for all legal and natural persons.

The first stage of deratization includes the removal of organic and inorganic waste from basements and attics, as well as from surfaces where the deratization process will be carried out. Therefore, utility companies and citizens are invited to actively participate in this cleaning phase in order to create optimal conditions for carrying out deratization.

Utility companies are invited to:

- timely publish waste collection schedules;
- increase capacities for bulky waste collection in the specified period,
- so that citizens have the opportunity to clean common areas and other locations in a timely manner.

Deratization includes the examination and assessment of the rodent population according to the methodology of the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton. This assessment will serve as a basis for determining effective pest control measures, and we invite contractors and the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton to propose effective measures within their scope to ensure the success of the deratization.

We also note that before carrying out deratization, the contractor is obliged to inform citizens and other legal and natural persons about the start and method of its implementation, providing necessary instructions for protection against potential adverse effects.

All legal and natural persons, in whose facilities mandatory preventive systematic deratization is carried out, are obliged to allow access to the contractor's professional staff and provide necessary information, as well as to carry out actions required by the contractor's professional staff in order to ensure the successful implementation of deratization, as well as the protection of people and domestic animals.

We also point out that the Law on Management of Common Parts of Buildings ("Official Gazette of KS", number 19/17, 17/18) Article 29 stipulates regular maintenance of common parts of buildings, which includes deratization in accordance with the Sarajevo Canton program, which we point out to floor owners and managers.

Professional supervision over the implementation of deratization is carried out by the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton, and supervision over the implementation of legally prescribed measures will be carried out by the sanitary inspection of the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of Sarajevo Canton. In addition, the cantonal sanitary inspection will supervise the systematic deratization contractor in terms of the fulfillment of equipment, resources, and personnel for carrying out this measure, and will intensify on-site inspection supervision, monitoring all legally prescribed phases that the contractor is obliged to perform.

In coordination with the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton, the sanitary inspection will also plan intensified on-site inspections according to epidemiological assessments, and will certainly inform the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton about this. Sanitary supervision will also be intensified for legal and natural persons subject to this obligation, after the operational plan, which should contain the precise time and place of deratization, is submitted, which is expected from the contractor in coordination with the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton.

The contractor is obliged to take all precautionary measures during deratization to protect the health of citizens and workers performing deratization, as well as measures to protect domestic animals, beneficial insects, and the environment and working conditions. After the completion of the mandatory preventive deratization, the contractor must collect the bait residues and dead rodents and safely dispose of them through authorized companies within 10 days of the completion of the deratization.

It is also expected that the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton, as well as the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton, in accordance with their roles, will timely inform the public about all important phases of deratization, planned activities, and the obligations of citizens and institutions.