The summer heat dictates the rhythm of insects in Mallorca. Cockroaches have taken longer to appear, but their impact is equally intense, while invasive ants advance relentlessly.
The high temperatures this summer have disrupted the pest calendar in Mallorca. According to Carlos Pradera, a pest expert from Anticimex, cockroaches have made their appearance later than usual, but with an intensity that shows no mercy. "In other years, they had started a bit earlier. They have started later, but not with less strength; they are reclaiming lost ground," he explains.
The key factor is temperature. "The outside heat is the true engine of insects," Pradera points out. Species such as cockroaches, ants, flies, and mosquitoes depend on heat to activate their metabolism: the higher the temperature, the more activity. This year, the rainy winters delayed the cycle, but the spike in July has been notable.
A Delay That Offers No Relief
Residents of Palma and other municipalities on the island have noticed that cockroaches took longer to emerge, but when they did, it was in large numbers. "Service requests have surged all at once starting in July," confirms Pradera. The visual impact of large cockroaches in urban areas has led to a spike in calls to pest control companies.
Assessing whether there is a net increase compared to last year is complicated due to the lack of objective data. However, the expert assures that cockroaches are reclaiming lost ground and that the feeling on the street is of a more aggressive infestation.
Invasive Ants: The Silent Threat
If cockroaches are the visible problem, exotic ants are the real concern for specialists. Mallorca has become a hotspot for invasive species such as the Singapore ant (Trichomyrmex destructor), of which Anticimex has already reported several cases. "It is a super chronic species that adapts very well to interiors," warns Pradera.
Joining it are the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), the crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis), and a species from the genus Nylanderia (Nylanderia vividula). The latter "is expanding rapidly through central Palma, gaining ground over local fauna due to its enormous adaptability to urban ecosystems."
For the average citizen, this means that ants not only appear in summer but can colonise the interiors of homes year-round. Invasive ants do not follow the seasonal cycle of native species and are much harder to eradicate.
mosquitoes and Bedbugs: The Summer Coexistence
In the chapter of mosquitoes, the nighttime nuisance of the common mosquito (Culex pipiens) combines with the presence of the tiger mosquito, which is now fully established on the island. Spring rains created puddles and water accumulations that favoured their breeding, although the subsequent heat has accelerated their cycle.
Bedbugs, for their part, remain a recurring problem in hotels and homes, although experts point out that their incidence has not grown alarmingly this summer. The key lies in prevention and early detection.
The Palma City Council has launched an emergency plan in the sewer system to control cockroaches, with specific treatments in the most affected areas. Residents can contribute by avoiding leaving food scraps outdoors and sealing cracks through which insects may enter.
For those wanting to protect their homes, the most effective approach is to contact specialised companies and not resort to homemade insecticides that only eliminate visible individuals without addressing the source. The fight against pests, experts warn, is a war of attrition that requires persistence.
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