News
Madrid steps up blackfly control on the Manzanares
Madrid City Council has launched a new campaign to control the presence of blackflies in the Manzanares River, with the aim of preventing nuisance on promenades, terraces and green areas during the height of the good-weather season.
Last year’s experience was positive, with fewer incidents of bites. The council notes that factors such as a rainy spring and a summer of high temperatures helped contain the insect’s proliferation.
The plan combines clearing aquatic vegetation and applying biological larvicides, focused on eliminating larvae before they develop. The work will continue until November, with special attention to the busiest sections.
The interventions are tailored to each area through prior technical inspections and subsequent reviews, making it possible to adapt treatment to the river’s actual conditions.
Key points include areas such as El Pardo, Puente de los Franceses and the surroundings of the Caja Mágica, where residents and visitors are constantly present.
The Manzanares has become one of Madrid’s main outdoor leisure spaces, so keeping the blackfly under control is key to ensuring comfortable, continuous use of its banks throughout the season.