Originating in South-East Asia, the tiger mosquito has become particularly established along the Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic Islands. | Photo: Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter
Humphrey CarterPalma15/10/2026 16:10Updated at 16:53
The tiger mosquito will remain active in various parts of Spain throughout the autumn, aided by mild temperatures and rainfall that may create new pools of standing water – conditions that could prolong its presence until November and even early December.
The National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) warned on Thursday that the arrival of autumn does not signal the end of this insect’s season and has called for prevention and surveillance measures to be maintained whilst conditions favourable to its reproduction persist.
According to the Ministry of Health’s National Plan for the Prevention, Surveillance and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases, the peak abundance of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) usually occurs between September and mid-October across much of the country, and its presence can persist until December.
“The end of summer does not necessarily mean that the mosquitoes will disappear. As long as environmental conditions remain favourable, it is important to maintain preventive measures and not let our guard down,” said ANECPLA’s Director-General, Manuel García Howlett, in a statement.
Originating in South-East Asia, the tiger mosquito has become particularly established along the Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic Islands, although it has also been detected in other parts of the country.
In addition to its annoying bites, this species can act as a vector for diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika when the necessary conditions for transmission are present, although its presence does not automatically imply a risk of infection.
Autumnal rainfall can encourage its reproduction, as the tiger mosquito requires only very small amounts of stagnant water to lay its eggs and develop its larvae. Plant pot saucers, buckets, toys left in gardens, uncovered drums, drains and containers left on terraces or in courtyards can thus become breeding grounds.
ANECPLA therefore recommends removing any accumulated water from outdoor objects, periodically emptying and cleaning containers that cannot be removed, checking drains and gutters, and keeping water storage tanks covered.
The association also advises using authorised repellents in accordance with the instructions for use and emphasises the importance of entomological surveillance (monitoring of insects and arthropods) and the involvement of environmental health professionals to detect and manage potential breeding sites.
ANECPLA concludes that the control of these insects should not be limited to one-off treatments when their numbers increase, but should combine surveillance, the elimination of breeding sites and professional interventions tailored to each environment.