Germans' favorite island - Experts warn: "Super cockroaches" are spreading on Mallorca
This article first appeared on RTL.de
It is not surprising that when you walk through the sweltering streets of Mallorca, you see small (or not so small) brown spots on the sidewalk. And cockroaches are not only frightening for tourists, but they also transmit diseases, making them quite dangerous. When they leave droppings in houses to mark their territory and come into contact with people, there is a risk of getting infected with diseases.
Currently, the health authority "National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA)" is warning against the possibility that cockroaches could become a pest that is resistant to the most commonly used insecticides. This is reported currently by the Balearic news site Última Hora.
Due to Temperature Increase: "Super-cockroaches" are becoming more resistant
But why are cockroaches in Spain becoming more resistant? Jorge Galvan, the General Director of ANECPLA, explains this by the fact that "on the one hand, the temperature increase due to climate change causes insects, such as aphids or cockroaches, to accelerate their life cycle exponentially. 'The cockroach populations have continued to increase through heat,' explains the expert.
And on the other hand, there are indications that cockroaches have suffered a series of random genetic mutations in recent years, making them resistant to the biocidal products used to control them. One should keep in mind that the ideal temperature for cockroach reproduction is around 28 degrees, making the Balearic Islands perfect for their multiplication with their hot summer days and warm nights.
This concerns the experts, "as in recent years, temperatures have reached higher levels that set in heat in the middle of spring and last until late autumn."
Fighting cockroaches on Mallorca is becoming more difficult
Since then, cockroach populations have continued to grow. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control cockroaches, it is stated further.
It is all the more important to take certain precautions on Mallorca to prevent the spread of cockroaches:
- Pay attention to cleanliness and avoid food residues and leftovers
- Avoid water leaks and other moisture-prone areas
- Seal cracks, holes, and splits
- Ensure order in the storage of products
- Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids
- Perform regular maintenance work
On the Balearic Islands, warnings against cockroach infestation have increased significantly since the first quarter of 2024 compared to the rest of Spain, namely by 37 percent, when compared to the same period last year. On the islands, there are three types of cockroaches: the German, the American, and the eastern.
In light of climate change and increasing temperatures, specialists like Jorge Galvan from ANECPLA are concerned about the rising resistance of cockroaches in the Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca. This resistance is not only due to the accelerated life cycle of insects like cockroaches in warmer temperatures but also to genetic mutations that make them resistant to common insecticides. The ideal temperature for cockroach reproduction, around 28 degrees, is met in the Balearic Islands during their hot summer days and warm nights, facilitating their proliferation.
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