On Monday, a Cuban woman named Yasmila Otero Heredia shared a video on Facebook demonstrating her unconventional method for dealing with the mosquito infestation that's kept her awake for seven consecutive nights. Her solution? Using a tin can filled with cardboard and burning candle pieces to produce smoke and ward off the pests.
"Do you see what this is? We've gone back to primitive times. Look at this. It's to keep away the mosquitoes that won't let us live. A can with cardboard and pieces of candle," Yasmila explains in the 50-second clip.
Yasmila recounts how the recent rainfall has exacerbated the mosquito problem by creating more breeding grounds, leaving her sleepless for a week. "Today, the mosquitoes are wild. They seem more like horses than mosquitoes," she describes in frustration.
She also notes her unsuccessful attempt with the viral egg carton method, which claims to repel mosquitoes: "They say egg cartons drive them away; I've tried it, but here the egg cartons are just sitting around. I'm not selling them, why bother? People don't even give them away anymore."
The video encapsulates the myriad crises plaguing the island: "Here, we either die of hunger, thirst, or blackouts, or from inhaling smoke just to drive away mosquitoes. This is beyond words in our daily lives."
Yasmila's story is not unique. In June, Cuban mother Yania Delgado shared images of her son covered in welts and bites, highlighting another sleepless night as her child received treatment with Benadryl and prednisone.
Structural Issues Behind the Mosquito Outbreak
The surge in mosquito and gnat populations stems from several systemic factors: power outages lasting up to 25 hours prevent the use of fans and force people to leave doors and windows open due to the heat; more than 30,000 cubic meters of garbage pile up daily in Havana, with over 40% of garbage trucks out of service, creating massive breeding grounds; and the state fumigation system has collapsed due to a lack of fuel and insecticides.
Without official fumigation, Cubans have turned to increasingly makeshift home remedies. In May, a young man went viral for burning egg cartons as a repellent, a practice that experts warn lacks scientific support and may harm respiratory health. Even the deputy health minister, Carilda Peña García, suggested burning citrus peels in October 2025, acknowledging that "we must resort to everything."
The public health crisis has severe consequences. The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) warned in June of a potential new dengue epidemic due to the simultaneous circulation of all four serotypes of the virus. Cuba has reported 33 confirmed deaths from dengue and chikungunya and more than 80,000 infections from both diseases.
Energy Crisis Exacerbates the Situation
The energy crisis fueling this situation worsened after the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, cutting off the subsidized Venezuelan oil supply that accounted for two-thirds of Cuba's energy imports. Additionally, sanctions imposed during the Trump administration reduced fuel imports by 80% to 90%.
"This is beyond words in our daily lives," Yasmila concluded, capturing the reality faced by millions of Cubans each night this summer.
Understanding the Mosquito Crisis in Cuba
What methods are Cubans using to repel mosquitoes?
Cubans have resorted to homemade solutions like burning egg cartons and using tin cans with cardboard and candle pieces to create smoke and repel mosquitoes.
Why is there a mosquito outbreak in Cuba?
The outbreak is due to power outages preventing the use of fans, garbage accumulation creating breeding grounds, and the collapse of the state fumigation system.
What are the public health implications of the mosquito surge?
The increased mosquito population has led to a rise in diseases like dengue and chikungunya, with numerous infections and confirmed deaths reported.