Pest control in Abu Dhabi: who regulates it, what food businesses must do, and how to keep pests out

Updated 16 October 2026. Every rule in this guide links to its official source at the end of the page.

Key facts

• The authority: in May 2024 ADPHC announced that public health pest control services had moved under its mandate.
• Requests: individuals, farms and homeowners can request pest control through the TAMM platform or the Government Contact Centre on 800555 (Department of Health, Abu Dhabi option).
• Permits and pesticides: ADPHC issues and renews work permits for all public health pest control activities, oversees pesticide management and implements personal and environmental safety procedures.
• Providers: licensing for commercial providers of public health pest control has moved to ADPHC, with applications through TAMM.
• Food retail: ADAFSA's Code of Practice No. (29) of 2019 requires screens, self-closing doors or air curtains, no gaps in walls, floors and ceilings, and pest-proof storage off the floor and away from walls.
• Chemicals: under the same Code, pest control chemicals should only be used by qualified pest control specialists and must be approved for use in the food industry.

Who handles pest control in Abu Dhabi now

Public health pest control in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi changed hands in 2024. On 6 May 2024, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) announced the transition of public health pest control services under its mandate. Its pest control services page sets out what that mandate covers:

ADPHC describes pest control as a vital element of its strategy to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. For property owners and businesses, the practical result is a single authority for public health pest control, with clear service channels and a licensing route for providers. This page explains those channels, the additional rules for food businesses from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), and the maintenance side of keeping pests out. For the wider maintenance picture, see the Abu Dhabi maintenance guide.

Requesting a public pest control service

ADPHC lists two main services. Disease vector management provides regular and constant disease vector management in all public areas in Abu Dhabi. On-call services provide vector disease control for residents upon their request. To use them, ADPHC says individuals, farms and homeowners can contact the Government Contact Centre on 800555 and select the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi option, or register a request through the pest control services on the TAMM platform.

Some practical guidance helps a request go smoothly:

• Be specific: describe the pest, where you see it, how long it has been happening and whether neighbours have the same problem.
• Take photos: pictures of insects, droppings or damage help identify the pest.
• Note the outside: standing water, overgrown planting and waste areas around the property are often the source of mosquitoes, flies and rodents.
• Keep the reference: save the request number and any visit report with your property records.

The public service focuses on public health pests and disease vectors. For a specific infestation inside a home or business, such as cockroaches in a kitchen or bed bugs in bedrooms, owners usually also need a private pest control provider for inspection, targeted treatment and follow-up.

Commercial providers: licensing and work permits

Because ADPHC licenses commercial public health pest control providers and issues and renews work permits for all public health pest control activities, owners and managers have a simple first question for any provider: can you show your current licence and the permits that cover this work? The checks below are guidance built on ADPHC's published role:

A provider that cannot answer these questions clearly is a risk to the people in the building, not only to the budget.

Food shops and the ADAFSA retail Code

Food businesses carry an extra layer of rules. ADAFSA's Code of Practice No. (29) of 2019, Food Hygiene for Retail Business, applies to food business establishments, permanent or temporary, that sell food in retail form, dry, refrigerated or frozen, including businesses that serve and sell bakery and confectionery. Its scope list includes butchers, fresh and frozen poultry sellers, fishmongers, bakeries, delicatessens, ice cream sellers, hot and cold drinks places, supermarkets, groceries and minimarkets, chocolatiers, roast shops, spice and herb grinding shops, greengrocers, bread shops, food vehicles and stalls, and vending machines for ready-to-eat food. It excludes food service establishments, which are covered by ADAFSA's food service Code, and baking on the premises as manufacturing.

The Code opens its pest control section with a clear statement: effective pest control is essential to keep pests out of food premises and prevent them from spreading harmful bacteria to food. It also says that live animals must not be permitted in areas where food is handled, other than seafood, so that businesses can keep decorative fish in tanks and keep and sell live seafood.

The Code places these pest rules inside a wider set of hygiene requirements that support pest control directly: floors made of impervious, washable materials that slope to trapped outlets where appropriate; walls and partitions that are sealed, washable and light-coloured where practicable, so dirt and grease are easy to see; and materials that are durable, non-absorbent and easy to clean. Surfaces like these leave pests fewer places to hide and make signs of activity visible, which is why fit-outs of food shops should be planned with the Code in hand.

Keeping pests out: what the Code requires

Under section 3.3.2, the food business operator should do all that is practical to prevent pests from entering the premises, by:

1. providing a suitable location, design and construction for the premises;
2. providing screens to doors and openings, and repairing screens if they become damaged;
3. providing self-closing doors, double doors or air curtains at door entries;
4. ensuring there are no holes or gaps in ceilings, walls and floors;
5. ensuring all food and ingredients are stored in pest-proof containers, away from walls and off the floor.

The Code then asks for preventive maintenance of the premises, fixtures, fittings and equipment, including parts of vehicles used to transport food, so pests do not gain access or find places to breed. Its good preventive practices add a high standard of cleanliness so food waste, recycled materials and other garbage do not attract pests; correct food storage with spillages cleaned immediately and no food left out at the end of the day; no unnecessary equipment stored on the premises; regular checks for signs of pests; and thorough checks of deliveries, rejecting any food that shows signs of pests such as gnawed packaging or insects.

Most of these points are maintenance tasks, and they are where a business can act every week without waiting for a pest control visit. Power Zone handles the building side: door and window works, ceiling repairs, drain cleaning and deep cleaning.

When pests are found in a food business

The Code sets out the response in section 3.3.6:

Section 3.3.7 adds that electric insect killers can be installed by the food business, but pest control chemicals should only be used by qualified pest control specialists. It also states that employing an approved pest control company is required for food businesses in Abu Dhabi, and that approved companies are required to visit the business twice per month, provide a 24/7 contact telephone number and maintain a log book in the business. The Code, published in 2019, refers to approval through the Abu Dhabi waste management centre; since 2024, ADPHC states that licensing of commercial public health pest control providers has moved to it. Food businesses should therefore check both their provider's current ADPHC standing and their contract's visit frequency and record-keeping against the Code.

The Code also says all food handlers should be trained to identify pests and signs of pests, because the first person to see droppings or a cockroach is usually a staff member, not the pest controller.

Pest control chemicals near food

Section 3.3.8 of the Code deals with the risk that the treatment itself contaminates food. Its requirements are:

• all pest control chemicals should be approved for use in the food industry, and manufacturers' instructions for equipment and chemicals followed;
• care must be taken that pest control chemicals do not contaminate food; chemicals should not be used near exposed food, and if this is unavoidable, non-spray chemicals should be used;
• food that is or is likely to be contaminated by chemicals must be disposed of;
• eating or drinking utensils or food-contact surfaces contaminated during treatment must be washed and disinfected before use.

In practice, this shapes how treatments are planned in shops and kitchens: treat outside trading hours where possible, cover or remove exposed food, prefer baits and gels to sprays near food areas, and clean food-contact surfaces before reopening. The Code also requires cleaning and other hazardous chemicals to be stored where they cannot contaminate food, and expired goods to be held in a designated, labelled area.

The common pests and where they hide

ADAFSA's retail Code names the pests most commonly associated with foodborne disease as cockroaches, rodents, flies, ants and birds. The table below is practical guidance on where each is usually found in buildings and what reduces it; it complements, not replaces, an inspection by a qualified provider.

Building repairs that stop infestations

ADAFSA's Code is explicit that maintenance is part of pest control. Section 5.5 says buildings should be kept in good repair and condition to prevent pest access and eliminate potential infestation sites, and that holes, drains and other places where pests are likely to gain access should be kept sealed. Its preventive maintenance section adds that premises, fixtures, fittings and equipment must be maintained to stop contamination from flaking plaster, paint, timber, broken glass, leaking pipes and lubricants; to enable effective cleaning; to stop pests entering through holes in ceilings and walls; and to keep equipment working as intended. It tells businesses to repair structural damage as soon as it happens, such as holes in walls or windows.

Those principles apply to every building, food business or not. The repairs that most often end a recurring infestation are unglamorous:

• sealing service penetrations where pipes and cables pass through walls, floors and ceilings;
• replacing damaged door bottoms, fitting brushes or seals, and repairing door closers so doors actually close;
• repairing broken ceiling tiles and access panels that open voids to the room;
• fixing leaks, because water is what keeps cockroaches and rodents in a building;
• restoring water seals in floor drains, and replacing broken drain covers and gratings;
• replacing damaged screens on windows and ventilation openings.

Power Zone combines treatment with these repairs, using its plumbing and leak detection, carpentry and handyman teams, so the cause is removed as well as the pests.

Homes and villas: before, during and after treatment

Most treatment problems in homes come from preparation and aftercare rather than the treatment itself. The checklist below is guidance; always follow the specific instructions your provider gives for the products used.

For villas with gardens, the outside matters as much as the inside: standing water, piled materials, dense planting against walls and open drains are frequent sources. Power Zone's pest and rodent control and garden maintenance cover both.

Towers and compounds: managing pests across many units

In residential towers and compounds, pests move through shared spaces: bin rooms and chutes, basements and car parks, service risers, landscaping and the units themselves. A building-level plan, offered here as guidance, works better than individual treatments:

The pest control file every business should keep

ADAFSA's retail Code mentions a log book kept in the business by the pest control company. A complete pest control file, offered as guidance, goes slightly further and makes inspections and audits straightforward:

• the pest control contract, showing visit frequency and the 24/7 contact number;
• the provider's licence and the permits covering the work;
• the log book with every visit, findings and treatments;
• a site plan showing monitoring points such as traps and bait stations;
• the list of products used, with their labels and safety data sheets;
• corrective actions the business must take, with dates they were closed;
• staff training records on recognising pests and signs of pests.

Deliveries, storage and waste: where pests get in

Many infestations in shops and stores arrive with the goods. ADAFSA's retail Code tackles this at three points: deliveries, storage and waste.

Deliveries

The Code asks businesses to check deliveries thoroughly for signs of pests and not to accept any food that shows signs of pests, such as gnawed packaging or insects. It also notes that removing outer packing and boxes before bringing food into the establishment reduces the amount of floor cleaning required. Cardboard is also one of the favourite hiding and breeding places for cockroaches, so breaking down and removing outer cartons at the receiving point helps pest control as well as cleaning.

Storage

Citing Regulation No. (6) of 2010, the Code requires raw materials and food ingredients to be stored in conditions that protect them from contamination and stored off the floor and away from walls. It asks for temperature-controlled storage that can be monitored and recorded where necessary, food protected from direct sunlight, cleaning and other hazardous chemicals stored where they cannot contaminate food, a storage room of adequate size with a self-closing, smooth, easy-to-clean door, and a designated area, for example a locked cabinet, for expired goods labelled as such.

Waste

The Code observes that removing waste regularly from waste containers reduces both cleaning and pests, and that spillages should be cleaned immediately so food does not dry onto surfaces. In practice, the waste point is where most rodent and fly problems start: bins should have lids, be emptied often and be cleaned, and the area around them kept dry and free of loose waste.

Lighting, drainage and ventilation that help pest control

Three building systems make pest control easier or harder, and ADAFSA's retail Code addresses each one.

• Lighting: the Code asks for lighting adequate to see whether areas and equipment are clean and to detect signs of pests, with fixtures and wiring protected to allow easy cleaning and prevent contamination from breakages. Dark corners in stores and under counters are where infestations grow unnoticed.
• Drainage: the Code requires adequate drainage and waste disposal, with sewage and wastewater conveyed away so there is no ponding or backflow into the building, and a disposal system built so it is not likely to leak, block, overflow or allow access by vermin. Drain channels and their baskets and gratings must be kept in good order, and open channels must not flow from contaminated areas towards clean ones.
• Ventilation: the Code asks for natural or mechanical ventilation that avoids airflow from contaminated to clean areas, with ventilation openings fitted with screens or enclosures of non-corrodible material and easy access to filters and parts that need cleaning.

Each of these is a maintenance item: replacing failed lights, keeping drain covers and traps in order, and repairing torn screens on vents. Power Zone's lighting, drainage and ventilation teams handle them as part of the same programme.

The cleaning schedule as a pest control tool

ADAFSA's retail Code describes a cleaning schedule as a useful tool for cleaning effectively, and sets out how to build one: walk through the premises and list everything that needs cleaning; for each item, record how often it is cleaned, the precautions staff should take, the method and equipment, the chemicals used and how to use them, and the person responsible; review the schedule regularly; and have staff sign when cleaning is completed so the manager can check at the end of the day.

For pest control, the schedule matters because pests follow food residues. The areas that most often get missed, and where pest activity is most often found, are behind and under equipment, inside motor compartments of fridges and freezers, under shelving, inside drain channels and around waste points. Adding those to the schedule, with a named person and a sign-off, closes the gaps that treatments alone cannot.

Farms, gardens and outdoor areas

ADPHC lists farms alongside individuals and homeowners among those who can request its pest control services. Outdoor areas need their own approach, because the source is often outside the building:

• Standing water: empty or treat containers, troughs and blocked drains where mosquitoes can breed.
• Feed and stores: keep animal feed and stored produce in sealed containers, off the ground.
• Waste and manure: manage and remove regularly, away from living and food areas.
• Vegetation: keep dense planting, piled materials and debris away from building walls, where rodents shelter.
• Buildings: proof outbuildings and stores with sealed gaps and closing doors.

Power Zone's garden and outdoor maintenance and pest control teams cover outdoor areas around homes and businesses.

Bed bugs in homes, hotels and staff accommodation

Bed bugs are not a disease vector in the way mosquitoes are, but they are among the most distressing infestations for residents and the most damaging for hotels and accommodation operators. They travel in luggage, furniture and bedding, hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, sofa joints and wall cracks, and are rarely solved by spraying a room once. The guidance below reflects how a successful programme usually works:

• Confirm first: an inspection should find the insects, eggs or the dark spotting they leave, so the treatment targets the right pest.
• Treat the whole affected zone: rooms next to, above and below an infested room are inspected too, because bed bugs move through gaps and along cables.
• Combine methods: treatment of beds and furniture, laundering of bedding at high temperature, vacuuming and sealing of cracks work together.
• Follow up: repeat visits are normally needed to deal with insects that hatch after the first treatment.
• Prevent reintroduction: in hotels and accommodation, staff check beds during room turnovers and report spotting immediately.

Power Zone's pest control and upholstery cleaning teams can work together on bed bug cases.

One-off treatment or a contract?

For a single problem in a home, such as ants in a kitchen, a one-off treatment with a follow-up is often enough. For food businesses, the ADAFSA retail Code sets out a contract model with visits twice per month, a 24/7 contact number and a log book. For other buildings, the choice depends on risk, offered here as guidance:

Offices, schools and clinics

Pest problems are not limited to restaurants and shops. Offices, schools and clinics combine everything pests need: small pantries used by many people, food in drawers and bags, paper and cartons stored for years, and false ceilings and service shafts linking floors. As guidance, three things matter most: schedule treatments outside working hours or during holidays, with notice and the re-entry time respected, which matters even more where children and patients are present; set simple pantry rules, with food in closed containers, bins emptied daily, fridges cleaned and old cartons cleared from stores; and give staff an easy way to report insects or droppings with the place and time, so activity is treated before it spreads between floors. In clinics, the provider should know the nature of each area to choose suitable products and methods, and coordinate with the management around patient appointments. Power Zone's pest control covers these buildings, alongside commercial cleaning that reduces food and shelter.

How Power Zone handles pest control in Abu Dhabi

Power Zone provides pest and rodent control across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with its own teams, part of 20 in-house teams covering all seven emirates. Each job starts with an inspection to identify the pest and how it enters, followed by an itemised quotation, treatment planned around people, pets and food, and a written report. Because Power Zone also runs plumbing, carpentry, ceilings, doors, drains and cleaning, the proofing and repairs that stop pests returning can be done by the same company. See pest and rodent control, how every job runs, or request an inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for public health pest control in Abu Dhabi?

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC). It announced on 6 May 2024 that public health pest control services had moved under its mandate.

How do I request pest control from ADPHC?

Individuals, farms and homeowners can call the Government Contact Centre on 800555 and select the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi option, or register a request through the pest control services on the TAMM platform.

What services does ADPHC provide for pests?

Disease vector management in all public areas in Abu Dhabi, and on-call vector disease control services for residents on request.

Who licenses pest control companies in Abu Dhabi?

ADPHC states that licensing for commercial providers of public health pest control has moved to it, with applications through TAMM. It also issues and renews work permits for all public health pest control activities.

Which food businesses does ADAFSA's Code No. (29) of 2019 cover?

Retail food businesses, such as butchers, poultry and fish sellers, bakeries, delicatessens, supermarkets, groceries, greengrocers, chocolatiers, roast shops, food vehicles and stalls and vending machines. Food service establishments are covered by a separate food service Code.

How must a food shop keep pests out under the Code?

Suitable location and construction, screens on doors and openings, self-closing doors, double doors or air curtains, no holes or gaps in ceilings, walls and floors, and food stored in pest-proof containers off the floor and away from walls.

How often must a pest control company visit a food business?

The Code states that approved companies are required to visit the business twice per month, provide a 24/7 contact telephone number and maintain a log book in the business.

Can a food business use its own insecticides?

The Code allows food businesses to install electric insect killers, but pest control chemicals should only be used by qualified pest control specialists.

What should a food shop do if pests are found?

Call a pest contractor, wash, disinfect and dry anything that could be contaminated, leave chemicals to specialised personnel, and dispose of any food that may have been contaminated.

Can pest control be sprayed near open food?

The Code says chemicals should not be used near exposed food; if unavoidable, non-spray chemicals should be used, and contaminated food must be disposed of.

Which pests are most linked to foodborne disease?

ADAFSA's retail Code names cockroaches, rodents, flies, ants and birds.

Why do cockroaches keep coming back after treatment?

Usually because the cause remains: gaps around pipes, leaks, dry drain traps, clutter and food waste. Proofing and repairs are as important as treatment.

How should I prepare my home for pest control?

Clear access, store food and dishes away, move pet bowls, and tell the provider about children, pregnancy, allergies, pets and fish tanks. Follow the re-entry time and do not wash away gels or baits.

What should a business keep in its pest control file?

The contract, the provider's licence and permits, the log book, a monitoring plan, product labels and safety data sheets, corrective actions with dates, and staff training records.

Should a shop accept deliveries with gnawed packaging?

No. ADAFSA's retail Code says deliveries should be checked thoroughly and foods showing signs of pests, such as gnawed packaging or insects, should not be accepted.

How should food be stored to prevent pests?

Off the floor and away from walls, in pest-proof containers, in temperature-controlled conditions where needed, with chemicals stored separately so they cannot contaminate food.

Does lighting matter for pest control?

Yes. The Code asks for lighting adequate to detect signs of pests and to see whether areas and equipment are clean.

Can farms request pest control from ADPHC?

Yes. ADPHC lists individuals, farms and homeowners among those who can request its services through 800555 or the TAMM platform.

Why do bed bugs come back after one treatment?

Because eggs survive and hatch later, and insects hide in neighbouring rooms and furniture. A programme with inspection, treatment of the whole zone, laundering, sealing and repeat visits is usually needed.

Do floor and wall finishes affect pest control in a food shop?

Yes. ADAFSA's retail Code asks for impervious, washable floors and sealed, washable, light-coloured walls where practicable. Such surfaces leave fewer hiding places and make signs of pests easier to see.

Is a one-off spray enough for a food business?

No. ADAFSA's retail Code describes a contract with an approved company visiting twice per month, a 24/7 contact number and a log book kept in the business.

When should schools and clinics be treated for pests?

As guidance, outside working hours or during holidays, with advance notice, the re-entry time respected, and products and methods suited to children and patients.

Does Power Zone provide pest control in Abu Dhabi?

Yes. Power Zone's own teams inspect, treat and follow up across the emirate, and can also carry out the proofing and repairs that stop pests returning.

Sources

1. Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Pest Control Services
2. Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, ADPHC announces its comprehensive public health pest control services (6 May 2024)
3. Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Code of Practice No. (29) of 2019, Food Hygiene for Retail Business
4. Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Guidelines