Tacoronte Launches Major Operation to Clear Waste Pile Fueling Termite Infestation

Efforts to control the subterranean termite infestation in Tacoronte have reached a critical stage. Authorities have launched a major engineering project to clear a massive hotspot on a private plot, where nearly 7,000 cubic meters of municipal garden waste have piled up.

To tackle the infestation, Tragsatec—the company managing the cleanup for the Tenerife Island Council—is building a specialized concrete basin. This facility will allow workers to safely treat the wood chips with biocides in a controlled environment, avoiding the risks associated with burning the material. If conditions remain favorable, the operation is expected to begin within a month and last for three months.

This project is essential because the massive pile of debris is currently competing with the 2,200 bait stations installed across the 100,000-square-meter area. By removing this food source, the bait stations will become much more effective at eliminating the termites.

Iván Hernández Machín, the local Councilor for the Environment, argued that the waste pile actually helped contain the termites and prevented them from spreading to nearby homes. However, the Association of Those Affected by Subterranean Termites has criticized the lack of oversight regarding how the waste was dumped, noting that it stems from past maintenance practices. While the councilor has called for stricter rules on how garden waste is transported, the exact origin of the infestation remains unclear, as the invasive species has been a persistent issue on the island since 2017.

For now, officials have assured residents that the situation is under control and that no homes are currently at risk. The primary goal for local authorities is to clear the makeshift landfill, which has been a major factor in the ongoing effort to contain the pests.