Public need to do their bit to prevent mosquito nuisance in Roquetas de Mar on Costa Almeria

ACTION aimed at preventing the proliferation of mosquitos in Roquetas de Mar is producing results but the public need to do their bit too, the local council said.
Speaking at a presentation of a mosquito prevention campaign, Roquetas Mayor Gabriel Amat praised the work of the municipal Urban Cleaning and Parks and Gardens department and the company employed since last May to fumigate and keep the pesky flying nuisances under control.
Amat maintained this year had been much better on the mosquito front after going through some “difficult moments.”
He also said he believed “we are going to manage to resolve this problem in a municipality in which it is not easy as we have 1,600,000sqm of green areas, as well as natural landscapes.”
Urban Cleaning and Parks and Gardens councillor Susi Ibanez made the point however that as well as treating public areas it is important to inform residents about the need to look after private green spaces.
She explained the council is putting particular emphasis on the prevention of mosquitoes on private and residential community plots and is therefore working on a relevant bylaw. The local authority has also designed an informative leaflet in English and Spanish which will be distributed in municipal centres, tourist offices and hotels, or which can be downloaded from the municipal website.
The councillor issued a reminder that local residents can inform the council about the presence of mosquitos.
Pest control company representative Lidia Najar reported there had been a “constant” reduction in the number of mosquitos in the municipality over the last year “despite a small rise” following last September’s downpours.
She said that treating the Ribera de la Algaida and Punta-Entinas-Sabinar natural areas was important, but stressed “we must not forget urban areas: the gratings in the street and properties, plots, properties which are abandoned or empty most of the year, and above all the numerous swimming pools which are not chlorinated all year, and which it its essential to maintain in good condition.”
Meanwhile Education councillor Juanjo Salvador talked about the role of local schoolchildren in raising awareness among the public.
“In the same way they have educated us about recycling or greater highway safety, they can help us to prevent the presence of plagues with better care of our environment.”