Date Published: 07/08/2025

Alhama steps up mosquito control with early morning fumigation

Tiger mosquito among targets in ongoing campaign to reduce risk and nuisance this summer

The town of Alhama de Murcia is carrying out a fresh round of fumigation this weekend as part of its ongoing effort to combat mosquitoes, including the invasive and potentially harmful tiger mosquito.

The latest treatment is scheduled to begin at 3am on Saturday 9 August and will focus on green areas and surrounding spaces across the municipality. Residents are advised to stay clear of these areas while the work is taking place.

The treatment, which involves mist-spraying both vegetation and nearby open spaces, will be carried out by specialist contractors. It forms part of a wider pest control campaign launched in April, which runs until December 2025. The aim is to reduce the presence of mosquitoes during the warmer months, especially following wet weather when breeding sites are more likely to appear.

Alhama’s councillor for the environment, Antonio Espinosa, reminded residents that although the council regularly sprays public spaces, support from the public is key to keeping mosquito numbers down.

“We urge everyone to take simple precautions at home to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding,” he said.

Common breeding grounds include standing water in flowerpots, buckets, fountains, pet bowls, tyres and garden toys. Council advice includes turning over or covering containers, changing water frequently, cleaning roof gutters and using mosquito nets or chlorine in ponds and pools.

The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is smaller than other species and has distinctive white stripes on its dark body. First detected in Spain in 2004, it reached Alhama in 2014. Although not native, it has adapted well and is now found across the Region of Murcia.

Unlike other mosquitoes, tiger mosquitoes are active during the day, fly low to the ground and are harder to spot. Only the females bite, and while the bites are mostly just a nuisance, the species is known to be capable of transmitting viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever in some regions.

More information and tips on prevention are available through Alhama Council's environmental department.

For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today

Images: Ayuntamiento de Alhama

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Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Tel: 968 633 512

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.