Torrevieja takes to the skies to tackle mosquito menace
Torrevieja Council will use drones, bat boxes and birds of prey to rid the city of pests
In a bid to combat the persistent mosquito problem plaguing its residents and tourists, the City Council of Torrevieja has unveiled a revolutionary new arsenal in the war against these pesky insects.
Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional methods; the city is now embracing cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
At the heart of this new strategy are three state-of-the-art drones, designed to detect mosquito larvae and swarms in hard-to-reach areas such as salt marshes and abandoned pools.
These aerial allies will be complemented by a fleet of vehicles including a quad, pick-up trucks and a larvicide vehicle, all equipped with the latest technology to tackle insect infestations head-on.
Nature itself is also a powerful ally in the fight against mosquitoes. To this end, Torrevieja is currently installing bat nest boxes to attract more of these winged wonders, which are capable of gobbling up a huge number of mosquitoes each day.
Birds of prey will also be encouraged to take up residence, helping to control rodent populations. And for the processionary caterpillar, a deadly threat to pets, special bird species will be attracted to the area to keep their numbers in check.
Attention is also being paid to the proliferation of the tiger mosquito, which has spread from a one-off presence to many areas of the province, and pest control services have therefore adapted to tackle this specific problem. One of the ways this is done is by collecting mosquitoes from specific areas and sending them to health institutions to test for the presence of West Nile fever and other diseases.
While the mosquito is undoubtedly the star of the show, the new contract awarded by Torrevieja City Council to tackle pests also includes rat extermination, insect extermination and disinfection services for public centres, markets, sports facilities and municipal offices.
Images: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja
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