Health: Recognize and protect yourself from tiger mosquitoes
Appeared in France in 2004, in the Alpes Maritimes, tiger mosquitoes have continued to spread throughout the territory. They are thus present in 62 departments, including 42 in red vigilance, and pose new health risks to the population. How to recognize it and protect yourself from it? Our advices.
For more than ten years, the presence of the tiger mosquito native to Asia has been steadily increasing throughout France. This situation is carefully monitored, because the tiger mosquito is a vector of important diseases , such as zika, dengue or even chikungunya. " Its anthropophilic character (which likes places populated by men) explains that once installed in a place, it is practically impossible to get rid of it", specifies the Public Health France site . This is why health agencies ask everyone to be vigilant against this insect.
Recognize the tiger mosquito
Also called Aedes albopictus , the tiger mosquito is smaller than the common mosquito: it does not exceed 1 cm in wingspan . It is easily spotted thanks to its black and white stripes present on its entire body and its legs. It stings during the day and the bite is painful. The tiger mosquito particularly likes to live near water and in urban and peri-urban areas. It develops in containers containing stagnant water (pots, cans, vases, etc.). If you see a tiger mosquito, you must report it on the site www.signalement-moustique.fr. This citizen act makes it possible to participate in the surveillance of this insect and to supplement the actions put in place.
How to protect yourself from the tiger mosquito and prevent its proliferation?
A female tiger mosquito lays an average of 200 eggs in contact with water. To avoid its proliferation, it is therefore necessary to tackle the places where it usually settles. For this, we take care to remove stagnant water that allows its reproduction. Here are some tips to apply:
- Regularly empty the cups of flower pots and any object containing a few centiliters of water
- Cover water reservoirs such as cans, cisterns, basins with a cloth or mosquito net
- Invert containers that may retain water
- Clean your gutters
How to protect yourself from the bite of the tiger mosquito?
The tiger mosquito mainly bites during the day and never flies very far from its nest. To protect against the bite of the tiger mosquito, it is best to wear loose , long clothes , as well as light colors, as tiger mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. You can also install a mosquito net on the windows of your home, as well as electric diffusers. Since the tiger mosquito does not like cool places, you can use air conditioners. Know that ecological devices are developing more and more.
Other solutions, such as organic daytime repellent sprays, are great ways to prevent mosquito bites.
Post a Comment