Some insects that come to Germany as a result of climate change are not only annoying, they also pose a health risk. These include the tiger mosquito. At 3 to 8 millimeters, tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are usually smaller than native mosquitoes. The body and legs are black and white striped. The tiger mosquito originally comes from East Asia, in Baden-Württemberg it has been found particularly in the Upper Rhine Graben, in the Lake Constance region, on the middle Neckar and in the Rhine-Neckar region. Tiger mosquitoes are notorious for their ability to transmit dangerous viruses. In a press release, the Tübingen health authority states that the risk of infection in Germany is currently still relatively low but still present. It reports increasing numbers of infections in southern European countries, where the tiger mosquito is now almost ubiquitous. The blood-sucking insects are very aggressive and prefer to be active during the day. The population could help to contain them, as the tiger mosquito not only uses natural bodies of water as a breeding ground, but also prefers standing water in vases, bowls or flower pot coasters, for example. It helps to remove the water in the containers, cover them or empty them regularly. Light-colored, long and tightly woven clothing tends to protect against mosquitoes. Active ingredients such as “DEET” or “Icaridin” in insect repellents have been proven to repel insects. In contrast, household remedies such as essential oils or eating raw garlic do not offer reliable protection. Anyone can improve the data on the spread of the tiger mosquito and report sightings, for example at https://mueckenatlas.com/.
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Die gefährliche Tigermücke nutzt stehendes Wasser etwa in Vasen, Schalen oder Blumentopfuntersetzern als Brutstätte. Foto: tuenews INTERNATIONAL / Youssef Kanjou.
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