The residence of the Kings in Mallorca, Marivent, is putting out to tender a €20,000 contract to prevent and control pest infestations of rodents, cockroaches, and processionary caterpillars across its 36,000 square meters.
The Palace of Marivent, the official residence of the Kings in Mallorca, is preparing for a battle against unwanted tenants. The Conselleria de Presidencia of the Balearic Government has announced a €20,000 contract for pest control throughout the complex, which covers 36,000 square meters, of which 2,300 are buildings and the rest, forest and gardens.
A plan against rodents, cockroaches, and processionary caterpillars
The aim of the contract, which will last for two years, is to prevent and control the presence of rats, mice, cockroaches, ticks, mites, and the dreaded processionary caterpillar, among other species. Also included are pine borers and pine aphids, which can damage the vegetation of the pine forest surrounding the palace.
The awarded company must carry out a thorough initial inspection within 15 days of signing the contract and present a management program to keep the population of harmful species below the tolerance threshold. Treatments will be applied both inside the buildings of Marivent and Son Vent, as well as in the pine forest and gardens, ensuring they pose no danger to people or domestic animals.
A forward-looking contract
The tender not only seeks to execute the treatments but also to establish the method of execution for the future, according to the tender documentation. The monitoring systems must be specific to each pest, and the advisory technician in pest management from the awarded company will review them at each visit.
Marivent, designed by the Mallorcan architect Guillem Forteza between 1923 and 1925 for the painter Joan de Saridakis and his wife, the sculptor Laura Mounier, has been the residence of the Kings since 1973. A part of the grounds has been open to the public since 2017, making it even more necessary to keep pests at bay.
For the residents of Palma and the tourists visiting the area, the news is a relief: no one wants to encounter a rat or a processionary caterpillar while strolling through the royal gardens. The €20,000 contract is a modest investment to ensure the healthiness of such an emblematic space. That said, the palace mice might as well start packing their bags.
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