The tiger mosquito is found in more and more places in our country. From 2 residential areas in 2020, to 8 neighborhoods in 2022. In 2023, the Asian mosquito has been detected in 12 places up to the time of writing. Of which 4 residential areas. The mosquito is also becoming more common at popular holiday destinations. How worrisome is that?
Asian tiger mosquito in Europe
The tiger mosquito originates from South East Asia, but has also been found on European soil for some time now. Especially in southern European countries such as Spain and France. He ended up there via international transports of, for example, car tires and Lucky Bamboo plants. The mosquito has also been found in our country since 2020.
Tiger mosquito transmits dengue fever
If the mosquito occurs in large numbers, it can transmit infectious diseases to humans. Such as dengue (dengue fever) and chikungunya. In the Netherlands, the risk of this is still very small, according to the RIVM. The virus only spreads after a mosquito bites an infected person. This is not yet the case in our country. But when the number of mosquitoes increases, the risk increases. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is therefore playing it safe and doing everything it can to eradicate the mosquito in our country.
Read also: Advance of Asian hornet becoming a bigger problem, so you help to stop it
Tiger mosquito control
As soon as it is clear that tiger mosquitoes live in a neighborhood, the residents receive a letter with the request to locate any breeding grounds of the mosquito and to remove them. The NVWA also goes door to door to combat breeding grounds. In an earlier article we told you how you can prevent mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water.
Tiger mosquito seen? Report it
Do you suspect that you see a tiger mosquito? Then try to catch or beat him to death. You can then photograph it well. Do this against a neutral background, such as a piece of paper. You can send the photo(s) with your report. You can do this via the NVWA website. If the NVWA decides that it is indeed a tiger mosquito or other exotic mosquito, they will contact you. If the investigation shows that it is a high-risk mosquito, measures will be taken.
This is what the tiger mosquito looks like
The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) gets its name from its striped pattern. It can be recognized by the white stripes on both its body and legs. There is also a white stripe on his black back. The tips of the hind legs are also white. It is smaller than other mosquitoes and also stings during the day. Many native mosquito species are somewhat browner or beige in color.
Tiger mosquito in holiday countries
The tiger mosquito is now present in large parts of popular holiday areas. Such as Italy and the Mediterranean coast of Spain and the South of France. But also closer to home, in southern Germany and northern France. The tiger mosquito hitches a ride with products from Southeast Asia, but it also pops up here because it travels with holidaymakers or freight traffic to the Netherlands. The eggs survive transport, even during dry or cold periods. If they then come into contact with water again, they will hatch.
Read also: Advance of Asian hornet becoming a bigger problem, so you help to stop it
Check your car or caravan
During your holiday or for work, do you stay in a place where the tiger mosquito occurs? Then the NVWA calls on you to thoroughly check your car and caravan for mosquitoes before you drive home. Also check anything that can hold water, such as flower pots, trays or watering cans. And empty it if necessary. Otherwise, you can unsuspectingly take viable eggs with you, which later hatch into mosquitoes.
Combat more and more difficult
Until now, the tiger mosquito has not established itself here and still comes through annual imports. But the expectation is that, with the increasingly warmer winters, it is only a matter of time before the mosquito settles here permanently. According to Wageningen University & Research, we are at a critical point.
(Source: NOS, Nu.nl, RTL News, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Photos: Shutterstock, ANP)
2023-08-08 04:01:18
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