With the rise of temperatures, unpleasant phenomena begin to repeat themselves more often in European summer. The holidays of thousands of British in Greece are being marked by the presence of an unwanted insect. According to the Daily Express newspaper, several Greek tourist regions are being invaded by cockroaches that have become immune to insecticides, including species capable of flying to the upper floors of hotels.
According to Professor Elias Kioulos, from the Agricultural University of Athens, this summer is registering an explosion in the population of cockroaches across the country, with special incidence in coastal areas and places of great tourist affluence. The expert points out the prolonged use of pesticides as one of the reasons for the phenomenon: “They became more resistant to the doses that previously neutralized them. In the past an application was enough, now it is necessary to repeat after a month,” he said, quoted by the same source.
Cockroaches and air
Among the identified species, there are four main ones, including the American cockroach, one of the most worrying because it is large, inhabiting sewers and having a strong flight capacity. As Professor Kioulos explained: “It is a large cheap, inhabitant of sewers and sanitation systems, which can fly until the 5th floor.”
Another common species is the darker oriental cockroach that prefers wet environments such as old pits and vegetation areas. This, although not flying, often coexists with the American cockroach in sewage systems, especially in the eastern zone of the area of Ática, as referred to in the source previously mentioned.
Infestations in Hotels and Restaurants
The complaints of tourists on this insect intensified, especially in housing and restoration establishments. The German cockroach is pointed out as the most problematic in the sector of hotel and restoration. Despite being smaller, it reproduces itself much faster: Each egg-containing structure can contain between 36 and 40 eggs, unlike 16 to 20 of the remaining species.
According to the same source, to aggravate the situation, there are also increasing records of another variety: the cockroach of brown bands, which already appears in the rooms, hiding in drawers in search of eating remains.
Cleaning is the “key” to contain the problem
The proliferation of this insect has been associated with hygiene deficiencies in kitchens and support structures. “The key is in extremely meticulous cleaning,” says the Greek teacher, quoted by the newspaper.
Local authorities recognize that chemical control is losing effectiveness and admit that it will be necessary to review strategies to combat infestations, giving priority to prevention and rigorous hygiene in public and private spaces.
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