La Tejita Residents Report Surge in Mosquito Bites Amid Invasive Species Concerns
Residents in La Tejita, Tenerife, are reporting a surge in severe mosquito bites, prompting health authorities to investigate whether the insects are a seasonal nuisance or an invasive species.
Residents in the La Tejita area of Granadilla de Abona are raising concerns again after reporting a surge in mosquitoes to Diario de Avisos. Locals say this has been a recurring summer problem for the past three years, with some people suffering such severe bites that they have required medical treatment at the San Isidro health center for painful inflammation.
While the situation is worrying, experts are urging caution. So far, there is no evidence that these insects are an invasive species, such as the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). However, the location is significant; the tiger mosquito has been detected near Tenerife South Airport in both 2023 and 2024. Public Health officials are keeping surveillance protocols active at the airport, as they must go 18 months without a new sighting before they can declare the area clear.
Health authorities in the Canary Islands are closely monitoring for invasive species, which often breed in stagnant water around homes. They are asking for the public's help to reduce breeding grounds by clearing out any standing water in gardens or on terraces, no matter how small the amount.
Because it is not yet clear what type of mosquito is causing the problem, the Canary Islands Entomological Surveillance System is asking for help. If you notice an unusual number of mosquitoes or experience a severe reaction to a bite, please email photos, your location, and a contact number to vectores.scs@gobiernodecanarias.org. This information will help experts determine if this is a serious threat or simply a seasonal increase in the local mosquito population.