Environment Ministry Urges Israelis to Prepare for Summer Pest Season

As summer begins and pest activity rises, Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry is urging the public to take simple preventive steps to reduce mosquitoes, sand flies, rats, cockroaches and flies. The ministry says early treatment of breeding sources is the most effective way to cut nuisance and health risks. The article was published on June 23, 2026, at 11:21.

Dr. Shai Reichler, head of the ministry’s Pests and Pest Control Division, said higher temperatures and humidity “lead to a significant increase in the activity of sanitary pests.” He warned that these pests can be a nuisance, can transmit diseases to people, and can damage property. He added that proper preparation and cooperation between local authorities and the public are central to reducing hazards and protecting public health.

As part of a nationwide readiness effort, the ministry has already sent professional guidance to all local and regional authorities on prevention, monitoring and treatment. The ministry says pest control should focus on eliminating standing water, improving cleanliness, and preventing conditions that allow pests to breed.

The ministry’s recommendations include draining water in containers, planters, buckets, gutters, saucers and reservoirs, fixing leaks, installing window and door screens, using insect repellent on exposed skin in the evening, wearing long light-colored clothing at night, and using mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors. It also advises keeping food in closed containers, disposing of trash in sealed bins, removing organic waste regularly, and trimming overgrown vegetation.

The ministry says mosquitoes can spread West Nile fever, sand flies can transmit leishmaniasis, rats can spread murine typhus, and flies and cockroaches can carry diseases linked to poor sanitation. It stressed that most problems can be prevented through cleanliness, proper maintenance and eliminating the water, food and shelter pests need.