Las Palmas controls thrips plague with 2,000 liters of soapy water

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council has begun an intensive treatment on ficus trees in the Siete Palmas neighborhood to reduce the insect population.

Close-up of ficus leaves with insects and a fine spray of soapy water.
AI

Close-up of ficus leaves with insects and a fine spray of soapy water.

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council has launched an operation to control the thrips plague affecting ficus trees in the Siete Palmas neighborhood, using approximately 2,000 liters of pressurized soapy water.

The proliferation of thrips, insects that have experienced a significant population boom due to high temperatures and abundant tender shoots after recent pruning, has been targeted by Parks and Gardens operators. These insects caused discomfort to fans of UD Las Palmas attending the Gran Canaria Stadium last Sunday, particularly those wearing yellow attire.
Municipal sources explained that the operation focused on Calle Fondos de Segura, where a total of twenty-five ficus trees were treated. Thrips tend to thrive on these trees, leading to plague-like conditions, similar to whiteflies.
The method employed involved the high-pressure injection of approximately 2,000 liters of a preparation known as 'broth,' which is water mixed with potassium soap, commonly used for pest control treatments on trees.
From the City Council's Parks and Primary Sector area, led by councilwoman Gemma Martínez, it has been reported that these control treatments will continue in the coming days in the Siete Palmas neighborhood until the insect population explosion is considered under control.