Tiger mosquito alert issued in Alicante as council steps up control measures

The local council in Alicante has announced a significant tightening of preventative and control measures to combat the spread of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).

Rising seasonal temperatures have triggered a sharp increase in the proliferation of the invasive insect, which in turn raises the risk of viral disease transmission. In response, Alicante Council’s health department has issued an official notice detailing intensified public efforts and a strict appeal for community intervention.

Because the tiger mosquito breeds primarily in small pockets of stagnant water, local authorities emphasised that the main breeding grounds reside almost exclusively on private land. Consequently, property owners are being urged to perform adulticide insecticide treatments within their own homes, gardens, and plots to efficiently disrupt the transmission chain.

To supplement residential efforts, Alicante Council has committed to a series of municipal public health actions. These include targeted preventative treatments across the city’s sewerage network and other high-risk areas, regular inspection and surveillance tasks, public awareness campaigns, and technical monitoring of suspected breeding sites.

Residents are reminded to thoroughly audit their houses, terraces, courtyards, and plots. Specific advice includes emptying and cleaning plant pot saucers, buckets, ornamental fountains, and outdoor containers regularly. Swimming pools must be correctly chlorinated and covered, while gutters and drains should be kept completely clear of blockages. Additionally, domestic pet water bowls must be refreshed daily, water storage tanks should remain sealed, and any discarded items capable of trapping rainwater—such as old tyres and empty containers—must be thrown away.

The council has urged maximum neighbourhood cooperation to keep private properties clean and requests that anyone spotting potential breeding hazards contact municipal services immediately.