Several weeks have passed, and the persistent proliferation of mosquitoes continues to be a source of complaint for residents of El Altet, Arenales del Sol, Gran Alacant (Santa Pola), and other adjacent Elche districts. Although the issue has been present for approximately three weeks, the discomfort has become even more apparent during the May long weekend, when, as was the case during Holy Week, many visitors chose to rest and decompress for a few days.
The presence of these insects, and particularly their attacks, has been most apparent during the early morning and late afternoon hours. This situation is quite common for people who have lived in these regions year-round for an extended period. Mosquitoes are inevitable after a few days of rainfall, as the overwhelming majority of individuals are aware. They also emphasise that this is insignificant in comparison to the situation that existed decades ago, when there were no fumigation programmes and mosquitoes were a much more severe nuisance in terms of density and duration.
There is a significant number of individuals who have expressed their dissatisfaction with mosquitoes in recent times. This is likely due to the fact that a significant number of these individuals are tourists or owners of second homes who were eager to take advantage of the favourable weather and spend a few quiet days. However, they have ultimately been bothered by these pesky insects.
On May 1st, the mayor of Arenales del Sol, Alejandro García Raduán, also acknowledged that a significant number of mosquitoes had been observed on that day and promptly notified the Elche City Council.
Increased workload
The Elche City Council, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the company CTL, announced on April 15th that they had intensified mosquito fumigation efforts in all municipal districts in response to the recent rainfall. The objective of these efforts is to prevent larvae from hatching in both small and large water accumulations.
Inma Mora, the councillor for the area, stated that the company in charge was conducting an inspection of the various flood-prone areas to ascertain the areas that required the most intensive larvicide and adulticide treatments to prevent mosquitoes from hatching after the rainfall.
Estefanía Hernández, the head of the company responsible for fumigation, stated, “We have commenced inspections and larvicidal treatments with non-harmful biological products in all wetlands, ponds, and any outbreaks that may have developed following the rains.” In particular, these treatments are administered on a weekly basis or whenever adult mosquitoes are observed in a particular area of the reed bed, saline marsh, or vegetation.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that the City Council is prohibited from carrying out treatment within private properties or directly targeting homes, which are frequently used as breeding grounds for the tiger mosquito. This species can reproduce in a small amount of water that can accumulate in saucers, flowerpots, swimming pools, or tarps that cover pools during the winter.
Working together
In this regard, the Health Councillor, Inma Mora, requested that all residents of Elche’s districts collaborate in their efforts to avoid storing water in containers and, whenever feasible, to conduct some form of treatment within their residences.
On March 21st, the Santa Pola City Council announced that flooded areas in various sections of the municipality were being treated and reinforced with biological treatments to control larvae. The announcement was made by Borja Merino, Councillor for Tourism, Health, and Greater Alicante. According to municipal sources, these biological larvicides are unharmful to wildlife and prevent mosquitoes from establishing themselves in these regions and disseminating to neighbouring areas.
The Santa Pola City Council emphasised the significance of mosquito control treatments in residential areas and private residences, as mosquito larvae are able to develop in any area with stagnant water due to warm temperatures. Santa Pola also continued the therapies on April 25th.
Additionally, pharmacies are experiencing an increase in the sale of mosquito repellent products, and mosquito netting companies are also experiencing an increase in demand as a result of the increasing prevalence of these insects.
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