Why do homes in Spain not have mosquito screens?

Mosquito or fly screens are very common in some parts of the world, including parts of the United States, Canada, Latin America, southeast Asia and Australia.

In many parts of Europe, including Spain, however, they’re not as popular. Why is this – is it because there simply aren’t very many mosquitos or other bugs that try and enter homes or just because they’re not part of the construction of homes here?

While Spain doesn’t have a tropical climate and doesn’t have as many bugs as some countries, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any or that mosquitoes are rare here.

READ ALSO: What to do about insects and other pests in your home in Spain?

Mosquitoes may not be as common in Spain as they are in nearby Italy for example, but they still exist.

They live in all parts of the country, but can be a particular problem in coastal Andalusia near the Guadalquivir River and wetlands, as well as in Valencia, coastal Murcia and the Balearic Islands.

The mosquito season in Spain can begin as early as April in some regions and usually ends between September and November.

Summer is peak mosquito season in Spain, particularly tiger mosquitos which come out primarily from July to August. September to October time can also see a lot of mosquitoes and in some places like the Balearics, they can be even worse than in summer.

Often in summer you’ll have to choose between leaving your windows open at night for a slight breeze, but endure getting bitten or sweating all night, but be bite free. If you have air-conditioning, you’re one of the lucky ones though as you can stay cool whilst also keeping your windows closed at night.

READ ALSO – Ticks are proliferating in Spain: How to avoid them and protect yourself

While normally mosquitoes don’t carry diseases like malaria in Spain, the Coordination Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) warns that there have been several cases of West Nile virus in recent years. The areas with the highest risk include the Guadalquivir basin in Andalusia, Extremadura, and the southern wetlands.

It’s not just mosquitoes that can be a problem in Spain, however, flies, moths, wasps, hornets and stink bugs are other insects that commonly enter homes through open windows, depending on the region.

So, if bugs are an issue, then why do homes not have screens?

Houses in Spain are not traditionally built with fly screens across the windows because the insect situation has not always been very bad.

According to the Science Media Centre for Spain, tiger mosquitoes have only really only become widespread in Spain since 2004.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), states that cases of infection from mosquito-borne viruses have been increasing significantly in recent years. This is partly down to increased temperatures caused by climate change. Periods of activity during the year are also increasing so that the mosquito seasons are becoming longer.

Stink bugs, native to East Asia, also were only detected in Spain for the first time in 2016. While they were first only found in Catalonia, they spread to other regions such as the Basque Country and Andalusia and now can be found in many places across the country.

In 2024 and 2025 some areas of Spain such as Valencia and Madrid also experienced infestations of giant moths, which had not been so common in the past.

During the summer months, bluebottle flies and tiny fruit flies can also become a pest and an even start to lay eggs in warm moist places such as inside bins.

As a result, people often have to resort to portable screens which fit into window frames or are attached onto the outside of buildings and can be rolled up and down. As people have usually spent a significant amount of money on them and they can be removed, it’s common for people to take them with them when they move. This means that they won’t be a common fixture when you buy a second-hand property.

As for new builds, some may have them, but others will not; it will depend on a variety of factors. 

If you need a fly screen in Spain, there are several removable options available at places such as Leroy Merlin, Bricomart and Amazon. These either snap into the frame magnetically are stuck onto metal frames which are inserted into the window space. They can cost anywhere from €15-€60 depending on what type and size you want.

More permanent rollable screens can be fitted by a professional and cost from €80–200+, again depending on size and type.