Tenerife Residents Call for Investigation into Termite Infestation Linked to Plant Waste Dump
The Canary Islands government is investigating a Tacoronte plant waste dump following allegations that improper storage is fueling a subterranean termite infestation threatening local homes.
Plant waste management in the Tenerife municipality of Tacoronte is under investigation following a formal complaint from the Association of Those Affected by Subterranean Termites. The group has asked the Canary Islands Government to intervene immediately, fearing that a pruning waste dump in La Caridad is fueling the spread of termites that have already damaged nearby homes.
The controversy centers on a private plot used by the company that maintains the town’s parks and gardens. According to data from the Island Council, as much as 7,000 cubic meters of waste may be stored there. This has raised serious concerns about whether the site meets legal environmental and health standards, specifically regarding ground waterproofing and the management of liquid runoff.
Local residents are worried about the proximity of the infestation, especially since the public company Tragsatec has already placed 2,200 bait stations around the site’s perimeter. The association is now demanding that regional authorities confirm whether the dump has the required permits and if the storage methods have allowed termites to spread to neighboring properties.
Beyond calling for a technical inspection to determine the origin and age of the waste, the group is pushing for immediate safety measures and a formal investigation into potential negligence. Subterranean termites pose a significant threat to the Canary Islands, where early detection is vital to protecting buildings from structural damage. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial in determining who is responsible for the management of the site and whether proper protocols were ignored.