Tiger mosquitoes have colonized France since 2017, several errors favor their proliferation.
- The tiger mosquito, an invasive species, is now present in 70 French departments.
- To prevent its proliferation in your garden, you must, among other things, avoid stagnant water, tall grass and dense vegetation.
- To avoid bites, wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing. It is also advisable to use a repellent.
The Aedes albopictus, more commonly known as the tiger mosquito, is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Taking advantage of the development of international trade, the insect has managed to colonize Europe and France. It is now present in 70 French departments.
However, the tiger mosquito can be a vector of viruses such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika. It is therefore important to avoid errors that facilitate its installation in your environment.
Tiger mosquitoes: errors that favor their proliferation
Insecticides and repellents do not really manage to permanently eliminate tiger mosquitoes. Thus, one of the best ways to get rid of them (or at least to limit their proliferation) is to minimize their resting places and spawning grounds. Thus, you should not:
- have tall grass and too dense vegetation in your garden: it is therefore recommended to clear the land or to trim hedges and trees;
- leave fallen fruit and plant debris on the ground: mosquitoes can shelter there;
- keep objects in your garden where water stagnates: they provide perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. “The female lays eggs in all kinds of containers and artificial water reservoirs: vases, pots, barrels, cans, channels, terraces on studs, old tires…“, warns thehandles ;
- forget to change the water of plants and flowers: renew the water at least once a week. And, if possible, remove the saucers or replace the water in the vases with damp sand;
- not regularly cleaning the gutters, manholes, gutters and drains: rainwater and stagnant waste water are places very popular with mosquitoes;
- have water tanks without mosquito netting or protective fabric.
I’Ile-de-France Regional Health Agency also remember that you have to “cover pools that are out of use and drain the water from the covers or treat the water (bleach, chlorine tablets, etc.)”.
Tiger mosquito: how to protect yourself from bites and diseases?
Even if you have done what is necessary in your garden to limit the habitats of the tiger mosquito, some can continue to disturb your summer days, the animal being mainly diurnal.
To avoid bites, it is recommended to:
- wear long, loose and light-colored clothing;
- use skin repellents following the precautions for use indicated: do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist or doctor for advice. In addition, some plants also keep the insect away, such as lemon eucalyptus, geranium or even lavender;
- use mosquito nets when possible.
The fight against the development of tiger mosquitoes is an important subject. In a notice published on April 5the Health Risk Anticipation Watch Committee (COVARS) warned against the risk of multiplication of cases of chikungunya, dengue or Zika virus in France due to climate change, but also to the increase in trade international events such as the 2024 Olympic Games. “The upcoming conjunction of major international sporting events in mainland France during the summer season, generating significant population migrations from all over the world, increases the risk of outbreaks of dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya”warns the body.
