tiger mosquitoes love the heat and, with the temperatures of recent days, they proliferate everywhere in France.
Since May 1, 2022, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health has placed 67 departments, including Paris and all the other departments of Ile-de-France in red vigilance.
A painful sting that can be fatal
The bite of tiger mosquitoes is even more unpleasant than that of a classic mosquito.
Tiger mosquito pimples blister. They are isolated, painful and itch very quickly. Unlike other mosquitoes, which tend to appear at nightfall, the tiger mosquito can bite all day.
This mosquito, present in France since 2004, comes from Asia. It multiplies a little more every year in our country. It is small (less than 5 mm). It is called Aedes albopictus, but since it has stripes it is commonly called “tiger mosquito“.
Its sting can be deadly because this mosquito can transmit diseases such as chinkungunya, dengue fever, zika or even malaria. The mosquito that has bitten an infected person transmits the virus by biting another person.
“It’s necessary worry if flu-like symptoms appear a few days after being bitten,” says Alexandre Woog, director of ERADIQ, a company specializing in mosquito control.
– Ministry of Solidarity and Health
This mosquito is urban, he likes places inhabited by man. Once installed in a city or a department, it is practically impossible to get rid of it, indicates the Ministry of Health on its website.
How to avoid proliferation?
There are simple gestures to do to avoid being invaded by mosquitoes in general.
You don’t have to do not leave standing water, outside, on his balcony, his windowsills, or in his garden. Consider emptying saucers under flower pots or planters after watering. If you leave a container outside, remember to empty it after the rain.
Pick up fruit too in your gardens, especially those that have fallen to the ground.
Mosquitoes have need water to live and multiply.
How to avoid being stung?
To avoid being stung as much as possible, wear light clothes, because mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. The ideal is to have loose clothing that covers the whole body.
Mosquitoes like many flying insects don’t like the wind so turning on a fan can keep them away. Air conditioning is also quite effective, as the insect prefers heat.
You can also put mosquito nets at your windows.
Finally, there are many repellents. There are electrical outlets, but also creams and sprays to put on the skin. Some sprays even get on clothes.