"Combatting the Spread of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes in Austria: Ovitrap Monitoring and Citizen Action"

2023-05-17 08:46:26

Populations already established in parts of Vienna and Graz

Vienna (OTS) – The first Asian tiger mosquito was discovered in Austria eleven years ago. At that time it was still a single specimen, but the situation has now changed: last year the tiger mosquito was found for the first time in all federal states as part of AGES mosquito monitoring. Even more: In parts of Vienna and Graz there are already established populations that can survive the winter with us.

Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are possible carriers of over 20 different pathogens. Lots of how. e.g. B. Dengue, Zika or Chikungunya, cannot be transmitted by the native mosquito species. Although these pathogens have not yet been found in Austria, in the case of the Chikungunya virus, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assumes that there is a high probability that it will be introduced into Europe.

Monitoring is becoming increasingly important

In cooperation with the federal states, universities and associations, AGES carries out so-called Ovitrap monitoring throughout Austria on behalf of the Ministry of Health from the beginning of May to the end of October. Ovitraps are traps that are checked weekly for egg clutches of different mosquito species. These traps are mainly placed in urban areas and in places where alien species may be introduced into the country (e.g. motorway service areas). It is usually significantly warmer in cities than in the surrounding areas, which favors the survival of tiger mosquito populations over the winter. In Vienna, for example, the Asian tiger mosquito is introduced by long-distance traffic, especially in the area of the south-eastern green belt of Vienna or at individual inner-city long-distance bus stops. Since the first sighting in 2020, tiger mosquitoes have hibernated there and spread further into neighboring residential areas and garden settlements.

Citizens can also provide valuable information about the occurrence of tiger mosquitoes. The free Mosquito Alert app provides a tool to easily report potential tiger mosquitoes. The submitted photos will be examined by national and international experts and the finds will be displayed on a publicly accessible map.

For representatives of communities, public health organizations and pest controllers, AGES will hold a on May 22nd and 23rd Training course on combating tiger mosquitoes in Austria through. The course gives a general overview of mosquitoes and how to control them.

Anyone can help contain it

Tiger mosquitoes are so-called “container breeders” and prefer the smallest water holes to lay their eggs. In their natural environment, these are mainly tree cavities, in urban areas these can be all kinds of vessels in which water collects, such as rain barrels, bird baths, watering cans, gullies, clogged gutters, flower vases, plant coasters, buckets, cans, bottles or glasses . Car tires stored outdoors with accumulated rainwater are also particularly attractive. A female lays about 40-90 eggs per oviposition cycle, which she distributes to different water bodies. Adult tiger mosquitoes develop about 10-15 days after the larvae hatch. The eggs of the tiger mosquito are very robust and can withstand drought and cooler temperatures (e.g. through the winter) for months before they hatch.

It is therefore particularly important to eliminate possible breeding grounds for the tiger mosquito. With these simple measures, other annoying bugs can also be avoided:

Empty small water points such as bird baths or flower coasters at least once a week
Cover or fill with sand small water spots such as umbrella stands, fence tubes, indentations in branch forks or decorative elements
Store objects such as watering cans, tyres, empty flower boxes and ashtrays under the roof or turn them over to prevent water from collecting
Close the rain barrels or cover them with a fine-mesh insect screen
avoid clogged gutters