Tourists and locals in the idyllic village of Los Abrigos, Tenerife, were met with a shocking sight recently when a sudden infestation of cockroaches caused chaos in the area. The unwelcome visitors invaded the village during its busiest hours, disrupting daily activities and leaving both residents and visitors appalled. Despite regular efforts by a council-appointed company to fumigate the area, the latest round of pest control only served to disturb the peace, particularly impacting local businesses. The situation escalated around 11 am, a time when cafes and restaurants in the bustling pedestrian zone near the harbour are typically bustling with customers enjoying their morning meals.
Reports from Canarian Weekly detailed how staff members at various establishments had to spring into action, armed with brooms and dustpans, to repel the influx of cockroaches that emerged from the sewers. Rodrigo, manager of the well-known El Mirador restaurant, expressed frustration at the poor timing of the fumigation, criticising the decision to carry out the procedure during peak business hours. He lamented, “Instead of doing it at night or early in the morning, they decided to fumigate at 11 am right when businesses are open.” Luckily for El Mirador, their doors were still closed during the infestation, sparing them from the worst of the invasion. Rodrigo pointed out that the position of the sewer grate, in direct sunlight and adjacent to a shady tree, redirected the roaches towards a neighbouring cafe.
A local resident captured the dramatic scene on video, showing the frantic efforts of restaurant staff in Los Abrigos as they battled against the swarming cockroaches with brooms. According to reports from the Express, the insects were described as an “army of cockroaches” that scattered in all directions upon emerging from the sunlit sewer grate. While the prompt actions of the employees prevented the pests from infiltrating the establishments, business owners and residents were left understandably frustrated by the ordeal. The situation was further exacerbated when it was noted in the video that the local police did not intervene despite the distressing scenario.
Following the uproar caused by the cockroach infestation, businesses in the area are calling for more considerate scheduling of future fumigations to avoid similar incidents. The desire is for pest control activities to be conducted outside of operational hours to minimise disruptions and prevent such emergencies from reoccurring. Efforts are being made to ensure that the picturesque village of Los Abrigos can continue to thrive as a popular holiday destination without being marred by unforeseen pest invasions. With the cooperation of local authorities and businesses, steps are being taken to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the area to uphold its reputation as a charming hotspot for tourists and a pleasant living environment for residents.