The City of Skopje has announced that on June 1 and 2, in the early morning hours, it will carry out aerial disinsection against adult mosquitoes. The activity is part of routine measures to protect public health, and will be conducted in urban and peri-urban parts of the city.

The condition for going ahead is favourable weather. If the wind is too strong or if it rains, the spraying gets pushed to the next suitable day, at the same time of day. Standard practice - and the reason some years the operations end up several days late.

The most important message goes to beekeepers. The agents used to kill adult mosquitoes are toxic to bees as well. That is why city services are urging early action to protect hives. Beekeepers who fail to act can lose entire colonies within two hours - damage that has been documented in previous spraying rounds. The preparation - covering the hives or moving them into a closed space - is small. The fallout from not bothering is not.

For residents the message is simple: close your windows overnight on June 1 and 2, especially if you live in a neighbourhood with heavy greenery. Beyond mosquitoes, which are the target, the chemicals can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals. For people with asthma or respiratory problems - same advice, with a bit more attention. Skopje is heading into summer with another routine fixture on the calendar, and this year the mosquito season is shaping up to be more intense thanks to warm nights and heavier rainfall in May.