The Cabildo of Tenerife is considering the enclosure and sealing of the site located in the La Caridad neighbourhood of Tacoronte, where wood infested with subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) is deposited, due to the significant environmental risk it poses. This was communicated during a meeting held on Monday with members of the Association of Affected Individuals by Subterranean Termites, which included the island’s Environmental Councillor, Blanca Pérez, and representatives from the company Tragsatec, responsible for eradicating the infestation.
Urgent Action Required
“It was the councillor who said it was necessary to fence it off and seal it, and we have been requesting this for some time as it is a danger, a spark that could ignite at any moment,” stated José Ángel Amador, the secretary of the association, to this newspaper. He added that once the shredding process is complete and the biocide baits are installed, “the area should be sealed for at least five years, which is the recommended time to consider the infestation eradicated and make it usable again.”
Measures Against Infestation
Amador confirmed that the Cabildo had also commenced rat control at the “irregular” dump in the area, where a concrete slab of approximately 300 square metres is being constructed for future biogrinding of the plant material and the application of biocides, followed by a fermentation period to ensure the elimination of the pests.
“Initially, we contacted the Town Hall because residents complained about rats, and they informed us they would relay this to the company. However, due to the lack of solutions, we escalated the issue to the councillor on June 1, and she took action,” he explained. Nonetheless, the Cabildo noted that “this is a cooperative effort between administrations.”
During the meeting, which was requested by the Association following the detection of the infestation in a residence, it was confirmed that on July 1, they estimate the process of shredding, biocide treatment, and fermentation will commence for the 7,000 cubic metres of abandoned wood to be extracted and taken to the Environmental Complex of Arico.
