The Consorci de la Ribera, formed by the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta and the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa, works jointly with the municipalities of La Ribera to collaborate and coordinate annual aerial treatments to minimise the presence of black flies. These treatments were carried out today, Tuesday 1 July 2025.
This action is part of the vector control service (mainly tiger mosquitoes, common mosquitoes and black flies) carried out by the Consorci de la Ribera in a total of 39 municipalities that are members of the consortium.
Mosquitoes and black flies do not recognise municipal boundaries, which is why a supra-municipal service in practically all the municipalities of La Ribera is essential to control these types of pests as much as possible.
The aerial treatment was carried out today by helicopter at a total of 14 hard-to-reach points along the Xúquer River, which will allow us to complement the usual treatment that can be carried out on the river by land. The 14 hard-to-reach points are located in different locations in the following municipalities: Sumacàrcer, Antella, Cotes, Gavarda, Alberic, Carcaixent, Alzira, Algemesí, Albalat de la Ribera and Cullera.
Unlike mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant or standing water, black flies lay their eggs and develop their larvae in flowing waterways, and the most important flowing waterway in La Ribera is the River Xúquer.
The product used in these aerial treatments is Bacillus Thuringiensis, a biological, non-chemical product that has no effect whatsoever on the quality of the water or the flora and fauna of the river. Given the total environmental and health safety of this product, the organisations responsible for the river and the environmental authorities authorise its use in a place such as our Xúquer River.
The aerial treatment was carried out on this date due to the inaccessibility of the affected area. However, these areas had already been treated previously by land when conditions allowed.
Initially, the operation was scheduled for Wednesday 25 June. However, for technical reasons related to the helicopter assigned to the operation, it had to be postponed. Finally, the treatment was carried out today, Tuesday 1 July. Despite this setback, it should be noted that the intervention was carried out one day earlier than the date on which it was carried out last year.
With these measures to control the black fly, together with all those being carried out by the Consorci de la Ribera to control the tiger mosquito and common mosquito, we aim to minimise the impact of these insects on the public.
