Residents of Northern Cyprus complain about huge expenses on insect repellents

Residents of various districts in Northern Cyprus — particularly Lefkoşa (Göçmenköy, Kızılay, Kermiya, Marmara) and Gönneli — are facing a serious problem: rising prices of insect repellents (against mosquitoes and other pests) purchased in stores. These products have now become available only at high prices, placing an additional burden on household budgets.

According to city residents, the minimum price for insect repellents starts at 95 lira but can reach as high as 412 lira. Such expenses are increasingly unaffordable for citizens.

One local resident, Hamiyet Düzgen, living in Göçmenköy, has to fight bloodsucking insects. She uses electric tablets and sprays, and also applies lavender cologne to her skin as a nighttime preventive measure. However, according to her, the cost of these products is excessive: “Prices are very high, and they keep rising, and no one offers a solution.”

Resident of Kızılay, Adile Yenal, confirms — there is no serious problem with mosquitoes, but insects still cause inconvenience. Expensive products have to be purchased personally, impacting the family budget.

Hasan Tonyalı from Kermiya describes the situation differently: mosquitoes attack especially when the wind dies down, and when going upstairs he turns on the air conditioner to get rid of them a bit, but still has to buy insect repellents.

Sultan Karataç says she regularly treats her house against insects using products bought in stores. According to her, city authorities sometimes carry out cockroach treatments, but mostly people have to handle the problem themselves: “We spend money on these measures, but it seems the authorities do not care about us.”

Marmara resident Muazzez Beyaz explains that proximity to a stream increases mosquito infestations. To cope, electric fumigators have to be used constantly, which are also expensive. She hopes for regular treatment of water pools and control of store prices.

Finally, Hüseyin Enal from another district notes that although there are fewer mosquitoes this year, when they appear, products must be bought in stores, otherwise it is impossible to sleep peacefully. Prices are set arbitrarily, depend on the “mood” of the store, and have risen even before people received a minimum wage increase.

Meriem Kolozali from Gönneli stated that in her area, when insects appear, residents contact the municipality — which responds and carries out treatments. However, she admits that due to lack of control, store prices rise rapidly. “We are forced to look for the cheapest possible products and buy them.”