- With the aim of minimizing its spread and avoiding the public health and citizen well-being problems generated by its presence
- The collaboration of neighbors to follow the recommendations is essential to curb its proliferation
- Breeds in containers that accumulate stagnant water for more than a week, so we must inspect them periodically
The Tiger Mosquito Management Plan in Las Rozas arises in response to the detection of this insect in the municipality in June 2024. The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), originally from Southeast Asia, has spread globally due to multiple factors. Its presence in Spain was confirmed in 2004 and has since advanced through different regions, reaching the Community of Madrid in 2018. Its rapid proliferation and its ability to transmit diseases such as dengue, Zika, or chikungunya make it a species of special sanitary and environmental interest.
Thus, the Health Department, led by Mónica Paraíso, has designed this Plan with the main objective of minimizing the spread of the mosquito in the municipality and avoiding the public health and citizen well-being problems generated by its presence. To achieve this, surveillance, prevention, and control strategies are established.
Entomological surveillance is key in this process, as it allows identifying the affected areas and evaluating the evolution of the species in the municipality. Traps have been placed in different strategic points to detect the presence of eggs and larvae, classifying the areas according to the level of infestation.
Preventive measures include the elimination of habitats where the mosquito can reproduce, such as containers with stagnant water in public and private spaces. In addition, efforts are made to raise awareness among the population about the importance of their collaboration, as citizen participation is crucial in the fight against this species. Information campaigns have been designed through the municipal website, social media, and educational materials aimed at schools and neighborhood associations.
Regarding control actions, when mechanical removal of the breeding sites is not possible, larvicidal treatments are applied in drains, cemeteries, and other areas susceptible to harboring breeding sites. The entire Plan is designed with a temporal schedule that ranges from the early months of the year with awareness-raising activities, to November with constant monitoring of mosquito activity.
Every year, the effectiveness of the implemented measures is reviewed, and adjustments are made based on the results obtained. Levels of infestation, compliance with planned actions, and possible improvements in the control strategy are analyzed. In short, this Plan seeks an integrated and coordinated approach between the City Council, the Community of Madrid, and the citizenry to mitigate the impact of the tiger mosquito and ensure a healthier environment for everyone.
How to prevent it from breeding in our home?
– Remove stagnant water from containers, such as saucers under pots, buckets, bottles, outdoor ashtrays, toys, or gardening tools. Empty and turn them over to prevent them from refilling with watering or rain.
– Avoid the accumulation of small amounts of water in decorative outdoor elements such as fountains, garden figures, jars, or wheels.
– Avoid excessive watering that causes puddling and water accumulation in containers and plants.
– Remove and store unused items indoors that may collect rainwater or irrigation water.
– Keep ponds and pools clean and properly chlorinated. Cover with a tarp when not in use to prevent water accumulation.
– Change the water in vases every 3 or 4 days, including indoor flowers.
– If we have pets at home, clean the water bowl every 3 or 4 days.
– Frequently clean and unclog drains, drains, and sinks in patios and gardens. Also, roof gutters and air conditioning units.
– Avoid excessive vegetation that provides shade and shelter for mosquito resting. Keep bushes pruned.
How to avoid their bites?
– Install fine mesh mosquito nets on doors and windows of the house.
– Ventilate the rooms by creating air currents that keep mosquitoes away.
– Use effective repellents. Consult at the pharmacy, especially in the case of children or pregnant women.
– This species of mosquito usually bites outside the homes mainly on the legs due to its low flight. When going outside, wear clothing that covers the skin, as much as possible. Although they can bite through thin clothing like socks or t-shirts.
What to do if we detect a specimen?
If we detect a specimen in our surroundings, we must contact the City Council. Through the Pest Management Service, they will advise us on the best option to address the issue. Additionally, you can download the MOSQUITO ALERT application (available for IOS and Android) to participate in a citizen science project. If photos of the mosquito found are sent, they will be identified by experts.
More information about the Tiger Mosquito at the following link.
