Santa Cruz Residents Demand Action as Rodent Infestation Grips City Center

Public health in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is under fire after the El Perenquén Neighborhood Association raised alarms about a growing rodent problem. Residents say the number of rats in the city center has reached worrying levels and are calling for the local government to take more decisive action than its current reactive approach.

The association has highlighted several high-traffic areas, including Plaza del Príncipe, Plaza de los Patos, and the area around García Sanabria Park. They also pointed to Residencial Anaga, where they have shared photos showing poorly maintained gardens and walkways, which they believe are fueling the infestation.

The issue reflects a broader frustration with how the city manages public health. Residents argue that the City Council’s previous system—where the Health Department directly coordinated pest control—was far more effective. Now, the city relies on a mobile app to handle reports, a change the association says is simply not enough.

The group insists that digital reporting should not replace hands-on supervision. They are calling for municipal inspectors to take a more active role, arguing that outsourcing maintenance to private companies has weakened the city’s ability to monitor and control these issues. For El Perenquén, relying on third-party contractors has made it harder to coordinate a proper response to public health threats.

Ultimately, the neighborhood is demanding a comprehensive plan that combines urgent pest control with better cleaning of public spaces. Because these areas are popular with families and children, the association is urging the City Council to stop relying on passive management and return to rigorous, direct oversight before the problem spreads to other parts of the city.