Warm winters and long summers suit insects as well as people. Expats in Fethiye, Antalya, İzmir and the rest of the Aegean and Mediterranean coast soon meet cockroaches, ants and mosquitoes, and many also encounter centipedes, termites or the occasional scorpion. This guide explains the common pests, what you can do yourself, how professional pest control (haşere ilaçlama or böcek ilaçlama) is regulated in Türkiye, what municipalities and site managers do, and basic safety advice from official sources, as of November 2026.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 112.
Key points
- Mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches peak in summer; removing standing water is the most effective step against mosquitoes.
- Firms that apply biocides for a fee need a permit from the provincial health directorate (İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü) under the Ministry of Health’s biocide regulation.
- Licensed firms need a responsible manager (mesul müdür), certified applicators and Ministry-licensed products, and must give you an application form after each job.
- National platform Armut lists home pest control at 1,200 to 10,000 TL depending on the job, as of November 2026.
- Common areas of a site or apartment block are the manager’s responsibility; your own flat is yours.
- National Poison Centre (UZEM): 114, 24 hours. Emergency: 112.
Common pests on the coast, season by season
Spring (April to June): ants come indoors in search of food and water, and termite swarms may appear on warm days after rain. Mosquito numbers start rising as temperatures climb.
Summer (June to September): this is the peak for mosquitoes, house flies and cockroaches. Large cockroaches often come up from drains and septic pits. Scorpions and centipedes (çıyan) are more active in hot weather, especially around stone walls.
Autumn and winter: activity drops but does not stop. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality said in February 2026 that about 1,600 staff and 202 vehicles were working across its 19 districts and 913 neighbourhoods on winter treatment of sewer manholes, septic pits, rainwater channels, flooded basements and abandoned buildings, targeting flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats. İzmir also runs mosquito control year-round.
A newer concern is the Asian tiger mosquito. An Akdeniz University entomologist who advises Antalya municipality told NTV that the species is spreading in Türkiye, breeds mainly in standing water in sites, hidden corners and gardens rather than in sewers, and that its eggs can survive six months of drought.
Prevention at home
- Remove standing water. Empty or cover buckets, barrels, flowerpot saucers and old tyres, and clean pet and animal water bowls at least weekly. İzmir municipality notes that mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in about a week in standing water.
- Seal entry points. Fit mosquito screens (sineklik), close gaps around pipes and cables, and use drain covers or keep floor drains topped up with water.
- Keep food and rubbish sealed. Clean up crumbs, store dry food in closed containers and take rubbish out daily in summer.
- Watch the garden. Keep firewood and stones away from walls and doors, as they shelter scorpions and centipedes.
- Check wood. Look for mud tubes, hollow-sounding timber or discarded wings near windows and doors, which can signal termites. These need a professional.
DIY vs professional treatment
Supermarkets and hardware stores sell sprays, gel baits and ant traps that work well for small, early problems. For kitchen cockroaches, gel baits placed in cracks are usually better than sprays. Follow the label and keep products away from children and pets.
Call a professional if you see cockroaches every day despite baiting, if you suspect termites or bed bugs or if a problem affects the whole building.
How professional pest control is regulated
Professional pest control in Türkiye falls under the Ministry of Health’s Regulation on the Principles and Procedures for the Use of Biocidal Products (Biyosidal Ürünlerin Kullanım Usul ve Esasları Hakkında Yönetmelik), published in the Official Gazette on 4 July 2019. Its main rules for households are:
- Permit: anyone offering biocide application for a fee must apply to the provincial health directorate before starting work. The directorate inspects the premises and issues a Biocidal Product Application Permit (Biyosidal Ürün Uygulama İzin Belgesi).
- Responsible manager: each firm must have a mesul müdür with a relevant degree, such as medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, chemistry, biology or engineering, plus Ministry training.
- Certified staff: applicators must hold a Biocidal Product Applicator Certificate and carry visible ID cards while working. Teams have between two and ten people, led by a team leader.
- Licensed products only: firms may use only biocides licensed by the Ministry. Agricultural pesticides and unlicensed chemicals are not allowed for this purpose.
- Paperwork: the team leader fills in an application form for each job and gives a copy to the property owner or their representative.
What to ask a pest control firm
Before you agree to a job, ask:
- Can I see your provincial health directorate permit and the applicator’s certificate?
- Which product will you use, is it Ministry-licensed, and can I see its safety data sheet?
- How should I prepare, and how long should children, pets and pregnant family members stay out?
- Will I receive the application form after the job?
- Is a follow-up visit included?
Get the quote in writing. Our guide on how to find a reliable tradesman in Türkiye has more tips on checking firms and agreeing prices. You can also compare reviews of pest control firms listed on ilan.com.tr, and there is a separate list of pest control firms in Muğla province for Fethiye, Marmaris and Bodrum.
Typical prices
Prices depend on the size of the home, the pest and the number of visits. As of November 2026, the national service platform Armut lists home pest control (ev ilaçlama) at 1,200 to 10,000 TL, cockroach treatment at 1,000 to 10,000 TL and fly treatment at 1,500 to 16,000 TL, depending on the request. For businesses in Fethiye and Muğla, it lists 1,500 to 10,000 TL. For other household costs, see our home services price guide for Türkiye.
Safety with children and pets
The regulation requires that people are informed before an area is sprayed so they can take precautions. Put away food, dishes, toys and pet bowls, cover fish tanks, and keep children and pets out until the firm says it is safe and rooms are aired. If someone swallows a product or feels unwell after treatment, call the National Poison Centre (Ulusal Zehir Danışma Merkezi, UZEM) on 114, which the Ministry of Health lists as available 24 hours, or 112 in an emergency.
Municipality spraying and site management
Metropolitan and district municipalities run vector control (vektörle mücadele) programmes covering public land, drains, manholes and channels. They generally cannot treat private property. İzmir municipality says it cannot intervene in pools on private property, and the Antalya expert noted that high walls, locked gardens and aggressive dogs can keep crews out. If mosquitoes are a problem in your street, contact your municipality’s call centre or the white desk (Beyaz Masa).
In an apartment block or gated site, the Condominium Law (Kat Mülkiyeti Kanunu, Law No. 634) makes the manager responsible for the care, maintenance and cleaning of the common property. Treatment of shared gardens, basements, pools and drains is therefore normally a site management job, paid from the monthly fee (aidat). Treatment inside your own flat or villa is your responsibility, unless the owners have agreed otherwise. If cockroaches come up through shared drains, raise it with the manager first. New arrivals in the Fethiye area can read more in our Fethiye living guide.
Scorpions and snakes: first aid
Official Ministry of National Education first aid material advises:
- Scorpion sting: calm the person, keep the affected area still, wash it with soap and water, apply cold for 15 minutes, bandage without cutting off circulation and call 112. Do not cut or suck the wound.
- Snake bite: treat every bite as venomous. Keep the person lying still and calm, remove rings and tight clothing, cover the wound with a clean cloth and call 112. Do not apply ice, a tourniquet, or cut or suck the wound.
Shake out shoes left outside and wear gloves when moving stones or firewood.
FAQ
Q: How do I know if a pest control firm is licensed? A: Ask to see its Biocidal Product Application Permit from the provincial health directorate and the applicator’s certificate. Licensed firms must also give you an application form after each job.
Q: Will the municipality spray my garden? A: Usually not. Municipal teams treat public areas, drains and channels, and they say they cannot intervene on private property.
Q: Who pays for pest control in a site? A: Treatment of common areas is normally paid from the aidat and organised by the manager. Treatment inside your own home is your own cost.
Q: How much does home pest control cost? A: As of November 2026, Armut lists 1,200 to 10,000 TL for home pest control, depending on the job.
Q: What should I do if a child swallows an insecticide? A: Call the National Poison Centre on 114 (24 hours) or 112 in an emergency, and keep the product packaging with you.
Planning to buy a home in Türkiye? Download our free property guide for a step-by-step checklist.
Sources
- Biyosidal Ürünlerin Kullanım Usul ve Esasları Hakkında Yönetmelik (TİTCK / Sağlık Bakanlığı)
- Zehirlenme Tanı ve Tedavi Rehberi (Sağlık Bakanlığı Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü)
- Böcek Sokmaları ve Hayvan Isırıklarında İlk Yardım (MEB İlk Yardım)
- Büyükşehir’den haşere ve vektörlere karşı kış mücadelesi (Habertürk)
- Sivrisinekle mücadele dört mevsim sürüyor (Karar)
- İstilacı tür olarak biliniyor: Yumurtaları 6 ay kuraklığa dayanabiliyor (NTV)
- Ev İlaçlama (Armut)
- Hamam Böceği İlaçlama (Armut)
- Sinek İlaçlama (Armut)
- Fethiye İşyeri İlaçlama (Armut)
- Apartman Yönetimi — 634 Sayılı KMK m.34-42 (Hukukçular Evi)
Photo: Selçuk AKBAŞ / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
