Formentera takes aim at cockroaches

fumigacio---anti-paneres-cuque1The Formentera Council's environment office reports that anti-roach treatments are currently being deployed in the residential areas of Sant Francesc, ses Bardetes, Sant Ferran, es Caló, la Mola, es Pujols, sa Roqueta and la Savina.

Soaring cockroach populations are one anticipated knock-on effect of searing summer heat, which is why the Council has activated the pest control strategy. The operations are overseen by a company of pest control experts and involve the use of special products in the sewerage network and other sites controlled by the municipal administration.

Environment secretary Daisee Aguilera called for collaboration from people in the island's urban centres to see to it the measures, which are in addition to the normal debugging operations overseen by the Council, have maximum effect. She urged everyone experiencing cockroach infestations —individual islanders and businesses alike— to treat the problem as soon as possible. Septic tanks deserve particular attention, she said, calling them breeding grounds for the pests and adding that “tanks that are no longer in use should be duly sealed off”.

Islanders should let the environment department know when they plan to mount pest control treatments in residential areas or urban buildings in case additional street-level hygiene measures are required. Pest control measures should be executed at night or early in the morning, when there are few people in the streets.

Contact the environment office by telephone (971 32 12 10) or e-mail (mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat) with any questions.