Pests in Public Administration

The main pests in public administration are the following:

• Legionella pneumophila: the legionella bacteria lives in water and if inhaled causes Legionnaires’ disease. Its control is mandatory according to Royal Decree 865/2003, for the prevention and control of legionellosis. In public buildings, it can be found in the network, cisterns, and cold water tanks (AFCH), water heaters and hot water accumulators (ACS), ornamental fountains, sprinkler irrigation systems, fire-fighting water tanks (SCI), and cooling towers, so all administrations and public buildings must carry out its prevention and control. For this, Gimasur implements Prevention and Control Plans and Programs for Legionellosis, carries out cleaning and disinfection of facilities, analyzes the presence/absence of legionella in water. In addition, we advise on legal compliance for inspections by the Health Authority.
• Rodents (Rats and mice): They are one of the very common pests in public administration in both cities and rural areas. They are very dangerous as they can gnaw all types of materials causing serious damage and transmitting multiple diseases. They are abundant in public sanitation, empty lots, and near water courses.
• Wasps: These are very annoying and dangerous insects and one of the pests in public administration that must be controlled immediately, as they cause painful stings to humans, who can even develop allergies. They are a serious problem for the population in schools, nurseries, bus stops, roofs, parks, etc.
• Cockroaches: There are two types of cockroaches in the sewer network of cities, the black cockroach (Blatta orientalis) and the American or red cockroach (Periplaneta americana), which are carriers of a wide variety of viruses and bacteria, making them one of the pests in public administration that must be controlled continuously.
• Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes: These insects feed on blood, which can be very dangerous in public environments with the presence of pets and children. Their bites, apart from being annoying, are transmitters of diseases such as West Nile fever, leishmaniasis, or Crimean-Congo fever. Vector control must be carried out by specialists in the field like Gimasur, being pests that must be controlled immediately.
• Termites and Woodworm: These xylophagous insects feed on dead wood, so they can destroy doors, beams, and wooden furniture without being detected, causing serious damage in museums, libraries, and archives. They affect historic buildings and can become a public problem if they affect a large number of homes.
• Pine Processionary: These insects are caterpillars that are covered with stinging hairs, which are a health risk as they cause severe skin irritations in children in schools and can even be fatal for dogs in public parks. Therefore, it is one of the pests in public administration that must be controlled beforehand to avoid its dangerous consequences.
• Red Palm Weevil: This beetle affects palm trees, as the larvae enter the trunk and begin to feed until, in a few months, the palm tree inevitably dies if a phytosanitary treatment is not carried out in time. In parks and gardens, it can cause tree falls.
• Birds (Pigeons, Parakeets, Starlings, Seagulls): in a locality, it is a serious problem as they produce a large amount of droppings, which are toxic to humans as they transmit many diseases and are carriers of fleas and ticks. They also damage metal and architectural elements, as they preferentially build their nests in bell towers.