Chief Executive Officer of Rotimax Pest Control Training Academy, Dr Tolu Caleb, has called for improved public awareness, professional training and strict safety procedures in the handling and removal of reptiles and potentially dangerous arthropods to prevent avoidable injuries and protect public health.
 
Caleb made the call while delivering the keynote address at an event organised by Environmental Health Council of Nigeria in Abuja, where he presented a paper entitled ‘Practical Control, Safe Capture and Removal Techniques (Reptiles and Venomous Arthropods)’.
 
In his presentation, he highlighted the risks posed by snakes, scorpions, spiders, centipedes, bees, wasps and other potentially hazardous animals that may enter homes, schools, hospitals, offices, markets and other public spaces in search of food, water or shelter.
 
He explained that encounters with these animals could result in bites, stings, allergic reactions, contamination and injuries, while also triggering panic among occupants. He stressed that proper identification, environmental sanitation, risk assessment and effective emergency procedures were essential to reducing such dangers.
 
According to him, individuals should avoid touching, chasing, cornering or attempting to kill unidentified snakes and potentially dangerous arthropods. “Instead, occupants should keep a safe distance, restrict access to affected areas and contact trained wildlife handlers or qualified pest control professionals.”
 
Caleb also emphasised the importance of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and specialised capture tools, noting that equipment must be selected according to the animal involved, its behaviour, the location and the handler’s competence.
 
He warned that animal capture should not be attempted when the risks exceed the handler’s training, authorisation or available equipment. In such circumstances, he advised that the area should be secured while suitably trained specialists are contacted.
 
On prevention, the Rotimax boss identified environmental sanitation as a critical measure. He recommended proper waste disposal, maintaining vegetation around buildings, repairing leaking pipes, removing stagnant water, sealing cracks and gaps, and storing food in covered containers to reduce conditions that attract pests and other animals.
 
He further urged organisations to establish clear emergency response procedures for bites and stings, ensuring that affected persons receive prompt medical attention. He cautioned against harmful practices such as cutting or sucking snakebite wounds, applying tight tourniquets or using traditional remedies in place of medical care.
 
The presentation also addressed the need for lawful animal relocation, safe transportation, authorised transfer and proper documentation, stressing that public safety, animal welfare and environmental protection must remain priorities.
 
Caleb’s presentation underscored the importance of professional competence, preventive action and coordinated emergency response in managing encounters with potentially dangerous animals in re