Due to continuous exposure to pests, residents have contracted breathing problems and sinusitis, claims Lakshmi Murugesan, a resident of Gowardan Garden Street. “We moved to this area over eight years ago. Since then my parents, my siblings and I have trouble breathing. Yesterday when I sneezed, a rice weevil fell out of my nose. This happens quite often,” she says.
Another resident, R. Chitra complains that the rice weevils entered her ears and caused a severe ear infection. “ I have lived here for the last 20 years but the pests never caused any infections until recently. Maybe it is the kind of chemicals being sprayed,” she says. Ms. Chitra, who has two young daughters struggles to keep the weevils at bay.
The authorities, however, cannot wash their hands off the pest infestation, say experts. “At the central warehouse, the godown is surrounded by bushes. Rice prior to storage has to pre-treated against rice weevils. The officials can apply the gas diethyl bromide available as capsules, which is not harmful to humans, in controlled doses. The surroundings have to be kept free of bushes to prevent the adult moths colonizing the bushes,” says an agriculturalist requesting anonymity.
“Complications could occur if the insects enter the ear or nose," says a doctor in the city.
