Tenerife Residents Form Association to Combat Termite Spread
Tenerife residents, grappling with a widespread and destructive subterranean termite infestation, have formed a new association to coordinate action and advocate for enhanced control measures against the silent pest.
They make no sound, but they spread quickly. By the time people notice, they've already damaged buildings, crops, wood, and roofs. Subterranean termites have long been a problem in Tenerife, but their ongoing presence has led to a new response: affected residents are now working together.
On December 11th, about thirty people met in Tacoronte and decided to take action. This led to the creation of the Association of People Affected by Subterranean Termites. This community group aims to watch for, coordinate, and act against a pest that won't go away. It's once again threatening areas like La Caridad, where a new active outbreak was found in November.
The species, Reticulitermes flavipes, which arrived in Tenerife from elsewhere, is known as one of the world's most destructive. This is because it can eat wood from the inside out. Since it was first found in Tacoronte in 2017, plans have been put in place to get rid of it. These plans have now treated nearly 800,000 square meters across five municipalities: La Laguna, Tacoronte, Adeje, Arona, and Santiago del Teide.
The new outbreak in La Caridad could affect an area of 200,000 square meters. Experts believe it might have been active for at least four years.
Juan Pestano, a team leader at Tragsatec, the company handling the treatment, explained that "the project was stable, with treated areas showing improvement, until the alarm was raised in November." After that, the technical plan had to be quickly changed to deal with the new outbreak.
Residents have already submitted the paperwork to officially register their association with the Presidency Department of the Government of the Canary Islands and hope to be listed in the official registry soon. Even though the legal process isn't finished, the group is already working.
"We are absolutely scared," they admitted during their meeting. Besides sharing information and monitoring, the association wants to talk with government officials and prevent mistakes, such as leaving wood and garden waste near outbreaks, which could make the problem worse.
They have also asked to meet with Blanca Pérez, head of the Environment Area of the Cabildo de Tenerife. They want to push for faster progress on projects to process wood damaged by forest fires, as this is another way termites can spread.
While the percentage might seem small, the area affected by the termites is significant. It's estimated that termites could impact up to six million square meters in Tenerife, which is 0.3% of the entire island.
In total, more than 21,500 termite control stations have been set up. Tacoronte has the most devices, with over 10,000, while Santiago del Teide only has 425.
Treatments include creating barriers around affected areas, using baits, and setting traps designed for termites to carry poison back to their nest. On average, it takes six to nine months to control each area, though some places have been under constant control for years.
Tragsatec stresses that help from residents is crucial. "It's important that residents are aware and contact us through the proper channels," says Pestano.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the termite eradication service was declared "essential." It's expected to continue for another five to ten years. Although some areas have been clear for a long time, the goal is not just to get rid of visible outbreaks but also to prevent new infestations and keep the situation stable in the long run.
The formation of this new community association marks an important moment in the fight against one of the most silent yet persistent pests in the Canary Islands. It's not just about killing insects; it's about protecting urban and rural heritage and building a network of support against a threat that affects everything and everyone.