In this Mallorca News exclusive, find out about Alcudia’s mosquito control plan for Summer 2023 in Majorca. Find out what measures are being taken to alleviate the high numbers of mosquitos we had in the area at the end of the Summer season.
You may remember a video I made on the Mallorca Under the Sun Youtube channel about the worst thing about visiting Mallorca at the end of October last year – and that being the unusually high number of mosquitos in the North East of Mallorca.
This influx of mosquitos was caused by unseasonably high temperatures which caused the mosquitos to breed for longer than they normally would have done.
The situation with regards to mosquitos in Mallorca at the end of Summer 2022 in the northeast of Mallorca (so from Cala Sant Vincent, Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Can Picafort) was the worse I had ever seen since moving to the island since 2005.
You can read more about the problems of mosquitoes in Mallorca here.
This brought comments to my Youtube channel, Facebook Group, Instagram, and website from visitors to the island who had been badly bitten.
Visitors remain concerned about returning or booking a holiday to Alcudia in Summer 2023 and I have been asked across all my forums what is being done about the mosquito problem.
I contacted Alcudia Town Hall and arranged to meet the environmental councillor Tomás Adrover who kindly took the time to show me around the area.
So here is Alcudia’s Mosquito control plan for 2023:
Table of Contents
Which areas will Alcudia Council treat for mosquitos in Mallorca?
Alcudia Council can only treat public land in the Alcudia area. They cannot enter private properties to make mosquito control treatments.
Private property owners in Alcudia must carry out their own mosquito treatment and best practice (for example, not leaving areas of standing water) to help assist the efforts to reduce mosquito numbers for all.
This also means that mosquito numbers can be reduced.
Mosquitos will never be exterminated completely from the Alcudia area, but their presence can be managed.
So even though measures are being taken, do not expect a complete eradication of these pests.
Tiger mosquitos in Alcudia Beach resort, Majorca
Tiger mosquitos didn’t arrive in Majorca until around 2004. Until then, the Alcudia was afflicted by the more common mosquito.
However, tiger mosquitos are known to be worse than the common mosquito because they are known to carry diseases.
The mosquitos themselves are more vicious and the bites are just awful. Anyone who has been afflicted with tiger mosquito bites can vouch for this.
Alcudia beach resort is one of the most popular areas in Mallorca and you can see why from this guide here. Therefore, Alcudia council will be treating the drains directly behind Alcudia beach.
You can see from the video playing on this page, that treatments will be focussed around areas where there is a high concentration of hotels, so right through Alcudia Beach resort and behind the beach for example, near the Sunwing hotel on Calle Minerva.
This should help reduce the number of tiger mosquitos going into the Summer.
Mosquitos around Club Mac, Alcudia
It’s no secret that visitors to Club Mac in Alcudia have complained about the mosquito problem around this hotel complex.
This is because of the location of the hotel near marshland. I have been reassured by Alcudia council that the entire area around the hotel will be treated for the common mosquitos with treatments beginning in Spring.
You will also see that HidroPark waterpark neighbours Club Mac and where you can see the wetland landscape across the Alcudia area.
However, in all the years I have visited Club Mac, I have never been bitten while visiting HidroPark.
Mosquitos are more likely to come out in the evening and if you want to read about tips to avoid getting bitten, check out this article here.
Mosquitos around Bellvue, Alcudia
The main waterways here are fed from Es Llac Gran, which is the lake in between Alcudia and extending down behind Playa de Muro, and the wetlands around the horse riding centre, Rancho Ses Roques and over to the Lagamonte Hotel.
It’s also no secret that this area has experienced problems with mosquitos in previous Summers. I have seen Bellvue nicknamed “Hellvue” in TripAdvisor reviews because of the mosquito problems in recent years.
I was assured by Alcudia council that this entire area would also be treated throughout the Summer too with the intention to reduce mosquito numbers.
Mosquitos in Puerto Pollensa Mallorca
Alcudia Council treats the wetlands running beyond Alcudia Old Town, running right down to the S’Albufera Natura Park areas on the edge of Puerto Pollensa.
These wetlands are extremely popular with bird watchers.
I contacted Puerto Pollensa town hall who has also assured me that mosquito treatment would take place in the same way as measures are being implemented by Alcudia council.
However, again they are only able to treat public areas, and much of the responsibility for mosquito numbers lies with private homeowners.
Alcudia’s Mosquito Control Plan Majorca
I have been told that the areas around Alcudia will be treated every 15 days starting in late Spring. Currently, six treatments have been programmed in these areas and others have been mentioned in this video and article.
If required the council will go on to programme another two treatments which should reduce mosquito numbers going into October.
Mosquitos in Alcudia – Working with the Alcudia Hotel Federation
Alcudia Council is working closely with the hotel federation in Alcudia to identify any higher-than-normal mosquito infestations.
So this extends not only to best practices such as ensuring areas of standing water will not be left out to allow mosquitos to bread.
But also to work together if higher than-normal mosquito numbers are detected in Alcudia.
Will winter kill off mosquitoes in Mallorca?
The snow and low temperatures that we have experienced in February 2023 will go some way to kill off any existing mosquitos from the warm conditions experienced in January, however, it is unlikely to have had the same effect on the larvae.
Winters are great for mosquito control but with rising temperatures in Mallorca, and possibly climate change, time will tell if temperatures have been cool enough to have had a big enough impact on mosquito numbers.
Are there always mosquitos in Alcudia, Mallorca
Yes, there are always mosquitos in Alcudia, but you won’t necessarily get bitten.
There are also mosquitos throughout Mallorca and throughout the entire Mediterranean area, so regardless of where you go on a European beach holiday, you will always encounter mosquitos.
And you won’t always get bitten in Alcudia. I am prone to mosquito bites but didn’t get bitten once when we stayed in the BQ Delfin Azul hotel in Alcudia beach resort in July 2022.
Just make sure you take measures to avoid getting bitten. My best advice is not to leave windows open and buy mosquito plug-ins for your hotel room from supermarkets.
You can also prepare yourself with mosquito repellant and afterbite too which you can buy in the Mallorca Under the Sun holiday shop here.
Should I book a holiday to Alcudia because of mosquito problems?
Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Can Picafort are all located on this wonderful stretch coastline which benefits from a breeze meaning this will naturally keep the mosquitos away.
While there can be no guarantee of a breeze blowing, I have known this breeze to blow even in August.
With the combined efforts from the local councils, homeowners and also visitors taking responsibility and protecting themselves with effective mosquito repellant, then I see no reason not to visit.
Find out more about visiting Alcudia in this guide here as well a great selection of things to do in Alcudia here (booking here helps to support this free holiday resource!)
Take a look at these great suggestions of places to sightsee around Alcudia to see why this is one of the best places to visit in Mallorca.
You can also read a mini-guide to Puerto Pollensa here, as well as a guide to Can Picafort here.
Read this guide to Playa de Muro, and find out the many great things to do in Playa de Muro beach resort here and you’ll see why this entire area is one of the best places to visit in Mallorca.
Finally, let me know below what your experience has been if you are visiting Alcudia in 2023. Has Alcudia’s mosquito control plan worked in terms of reducing mosquito numbers?
Have mosquitos affected your holiday in any way?
Let me know in the comments below.
Going in a week will let you know. Nice little piece tho. Cheers
Please do! Have a fab holiday!
Interesting article/food for thought, thank you.
We are just back from a cycling holiday (last two weeks of April) and stayed in the Port de Pollença. The mosquitoes usually love me, but I only got bitten once, thank goodness.
That’s great to know Alison!
We are just home from Alcudia, all got bitten so much every night, nothing worked not sprays or plug ins , we still got bitten. I was there back in 2017 and didn’t get one bite then its so bad now .
I’m so sorry to hear this Lee 🙁
Hi
I really appreciate all of this information and it is very interesting also.
In the video I saw long grass in a public area. This too encourages mosquitos.
Here is rural Wales which is extremely bio-diverse, we have a massive problem with midges, so I am sympathising, but after June (breeding season), they are far less in number.
This year I left out a washing up bowl with water in it and saw many breeding in there,
which water and activity I then threw away; so I did my bit to reduce population. Also, cutting the grass really helps a lot, but even here, I did so suffer – having to tend the large garden I am trying to tame and it really does get one down having so many bites. Here too, I find nothing helps and they also bite through clothing.
I must say, I have been looking at holidays in Alcudia, which I have never been to and would like to visit, especially now living in such a quiet place, for September this year and it seems to me that mosquito activity is not reduced in Alcudia even in September. With health conditions to manage also, I may not be able come, sadly, but I do wish you all the best there with this problem and I hope you have all been safe from wild fires.
With increasing environmental considerations and bio-diversity, will mosquitos eventually eat all of the humans? I cannot help wondering, even from here with the problems we are having.
With love from Wales
(you are not alone)
God bless x
Oh bless you Anne. I’ve just read your lovely comment and only just had a chance to reply. I do hope you will be able to visit Alcudia (maybe come in Spring) and come armed with lots of mosquito repellant, and get plug ins from the Supermarket. It would be lovely to expereince this amazing part of the world. And you will be on the door step of Puerto Pollensa too. Good luck with your garden and sorry to hear those pesky mossies/midges have got to you there too. All the best. 🙂
It will be good to read some comments from visitors later in the year. I hope they arrive and are positive. Fingers crossed for everyone.
That’s a good point, let’s see the feedback!
Same issue unfortunately in September, we are here now and bites are frequent, we can’t even sit outside 😭
So sorrry to hear this Simon. Are you wearing repellant?
Any update on plans ahead of the 2024 season
Hi David, I’ll bring an update in the next week or so!
Just returned from a week at beautiful Playa de Muro – with more mosquito bites than ever! They never usually bother me anywhere else, but here they’ve been vicious all week – totally resistant to sprays!
Sadly would put us off returning to this fabulous place 😒
I’m so sorry to hear this Jo. 🙁
Mosquitoes totally resistant to my 50% Deet spray. I was bitten so badly I needed to call a Doctor to the hotel in Alcudia where we were staying. I have never been bitten abroad before. This experience has put me off returning to Majorca.
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear this too 🙁
Currently staying at a beautiful villa near Pollenca. Unfortunately our party of 8 people have been eaten alive by the mosquitoes! Some of us have had up to 80 bites and they are the vicious type that swell and weep. We have been taking antihistamines, using cortisone cream and an electric zapper to try and alleviate the discomfort. We have plug-in repellents in all the bedrooms, we cover ourselves in spray repellents (with Deet), burn citronella candles and wear the citronella protective bracelets and nothing seems to deter the mosquitoes from feasting on us. We tried to escape them by going to Alcudia beach which is lovely but as we entered the sea we were hit with a vile stench of bad eggs and which made us all gag! (something to with the seaweed rotting and not being removed out of high season). Sadly I would not recommend this part of Majorca to visitors because of the mosquitoes (I accept that mosquito bites are inevitable in hot countries but these mosquitoes bite during the day as well as the evenings and just seem immune to any of the preventative measures we try) I am grateful we don’t have any children with us because I’d have just flown home if we did. It’s such a shame that these creatures can spoil a holiday in such a lovely destination.
So sorry to read this too, and that it’s ruined your holiday 🙁
Coming to the end of our week here and both my friend and I are plastered in mozzie bites. At least 25 bites each. I usually do not get bitten but they’ve made a meal of me. I’ve suffered with a terrible eye irritation all week too…. Unable to wear my contact lenses, eyes bloodshot, watery. and extremely sensitive to the sun. Not sure if it’s connected but I have taken antihistamines all week which haven’t helped. Felt quite unwell and uncomfortable all week, not sure I’d return here even though it’s a beautiful place.
Oh Jacky, I’m so sorry to hear about the mossie bites, but I’d definitely get along to the pharmacy or docs to get your eyes checked out. Maybe you have an allergy to the repellant?
Hi,
We’re nearly a week into our fortnight’s holiday here in Puerto Pollensa. I’m always vulnerable to insect bites, but can honestly say I’ve never sustained so many in such a short period of time. I’ve lost count but must be in the region of 30 plus so far. Can’t say for sure they’re mosquito bites as I never seem to hear/see them, and the only time I heard the characteristic whine around my ear was on the Boquer Valley walk the other day. They’ve been happening at all times of the day, but I’m especially vulnerable on our evenings out. As I type this on our balcony at 7.30am another has appeared on my foot! I’m afraid it probably would put me off returning which is a shame as there is so much to love about the area. We were in Alcudia Bay last year in May and didn’t have the same problem. Maybe the current heat and humidity are playing a part.
I’m so sorry to hear this too! I’m wondering if it’s the rain and humidity too, as I haven’t been caught this summer yet, and haven’t spent long enough up there in the previous weeks. So very sorry to hear you won’t be back. 🙁
We’re currently in PortBlue in Pollença and they are horrendous, never usually bother me but we are both covered in bites even after using a strong spray, we haven’t even been able to sit outside on a night as you can see them everywhere!
This isn’t great. If you are near a mercadona supermarket, buy some spiral coils to burn outside. These should keep them away!
My family just came back from staying at Bellevue club in Alcudia and can honestly say that the hotel isn’t doing anything to reduce the mosquito population and are in fact telling people that they can’t kill /fumigate because the mosquitoes belong to the nature reserve and are protected. You can also see that the hotel is telling people that they can’t kill the mosquitoes in the recent comments on TripAdvisor. Also, the entertainment area and only evening bar for all inclusive for the complex is in a garden with grass through out. They are selling citronella candles here though. A lot of the repellents over there don’t work either. We found that we got bit less when we stopped using it.
Hi Kelly sorry for the delay in answering. The mossie problem is more widespread I’m afraid and just by treating one property won’t stop them flying in from outside it. This time of year does seem to be the worst too 🙁
Hi, me and my boyfriend are visiting in early June 2024. But I have asthma, etc. So I was wondering how bad you think the mosquitos will be then? We are staying in club mac but will be staying on the beach mostly as its our first holiday together and we are only 21/20 and I’m so scared it’ll ruin the holiday! 🙁
Also, do the mosquitos in alcudia spread many diseases?
Thanks and great article :’)
Hello Maisie, I couldn’t possibly commment how many mossies will be around in June, but I’ll try and get an update soon next month as to what’s being done about it. I would say come prepared is the best bet.