With the heat turning up, so is the bug patrol! The Orihuela Health Department is going full throttle in its war on creepy crawlies, launching its annual summer pest control blitz in the city’s sewer systems—just in time to stop a cockroach invasion before it starts.
Teaming up with pest-busting pros Lokímica, the council has begun targeting urban underground hotspots, starting in Orihuela city and surrounding villages. This first phase wraps up by mid-June before the battle shifts to Orihuela Costa, where more heat means more bugs.
Councillor Irene Celdrán says the plan is simple: act before the bugs do. “When the heat arrives, so do the problems,” she warned. “We’re hitting the sewers hard to protect public health and keep Orihuela’s streets safe for everyone.”
And she’s calling on the public to be part of the fight: “See a pest? Report it through our municipal channels—the faster we know, the faster we act.”
A Summer Showdown
Why all the fuss? Because when temperatures rise, American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) start breeding like crazy—doubling their numbers in just a month if left unchecked. These bugs don’t just give people the creeps; they can also spread diseases like salmonella and dysentery.
The stakes are high, with 70% of summer pest complaints linked to cockroach infestations, mainly in sewers and home plumbing. But there’s good news: thanks to last year’s pre-emptive strike, Orihuela saw a 40% drop in incidents—a major win for team sanitation.
Celdrán confirmed that the council doesn’t let its guard down after summer. “We carry out year-round treatments and respond quickly whenever a resident sounds the alarm,” she said.
So, if you spot a six-legged squatter where it shouldn’t be, don’t stay silent—report it! Contact the Health Department at sanidad@orihuela.es and join the mission to keep Orihuela clean, safe, and bug-free.
