Spanish municipalities launch preventive pest control campaigns

Local governments in Arenales de San Gregorio and Miguelturra have initiated annual preventive treatments to combat invasive insect pests affecting local vegetation.

In Arenales de San Gregorio, the City Council has launched a campaign against the pine processionary caterpillar. The initiative targets pine trees in high-traffic public areas, including the Municipal Park, local schools, and the municipal cemetery. The goal is to prevent infestations and reduce health risks to residents, such as allergic reactions caused by the caterpillar's stinging hairs. Additionally, the municipality plans to plant new stone pines to strengthen the local forest mass.

In Miguelturra, environmental authorities have begun preventive treatments for municipal palm trees to combat the red palm weevil. This invasive insect from Asia attacks the internal tissues of palm trees, creating galleries that weaken and eventually kill the plant. Officials stated that the investment aims to intervene before irreversible damage occurs, avoiding the need to remove or sacrifice trees.