Summer Mosquitoes: What to Expect, and How to Stay Protected
Few mosquitoes observed thus far - No definitive sign of a summer free from these pests. - A scarce number of mosquitoes have been reported, yet summer doesn't have a warning issued as of yet.
Got no bites yet? Observers report a decrease in mosquito population in many parts of this country, with spring unusually mosquito-free. "Droughts have led to fewer breeding sites, so there are fewer mosquitoes," explains Renke Lühken, a scientist at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg. Dried-up wetlands, unused rain barrels, and depleted garden pools have eliminated potential mosquito breeding grounds.
Carsten Pusch, deputy state chairman of the Nature Conservation Association (NABU) in Schleswig-Holstein and insect enthusiast, concurs: "I've never seen such a low mosquito population as this year."
But, heed the warning: this temporary mosquito lull doesn't mean it's safe for the summer. "A dry spring doesn't influence how the summer will turn out mosquito-wise," Lühken clarifies. "You could still get plenty of bites come July or August."
For instance, even during the mosquito-less spring, those pesky flood mosquitoes remain a threat. "Their eggs can survive dryness for several years," Lühken cautions, "so if it rains heavily, they'll cause a plague."
And let's not forget the notorious Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), increasingly common in Germany. "Now established in southern Germany for almost ten years, with the northernmost population being Berlin," Lühken shares, "they're likely here to stay and will spread further, potentially causing the transmission of tropical viruses in the future."
Per the German Environment Agency, the Asian tiger mosquito can carry West Nile virus, dengue, and Zika viruses. If you find a tiny-winged, black-bodied mosquito with white markings in Berlin, do not crush it. Instead, freeze it overnight and send it in a small container to the health department.
The Asian tiger mosquito isn't the only concern. Changes in Czech Republic have also reported chikungunya outbreaks involving both the tiger mosquito and the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens). The increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases, driven by environmental changes, invasive species, and climate warming, necessitates ongoing public health surveillance across Germany.
Stay protected from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, covering exposed skin, and eliminating potential breeding sites around your home. Mosquitoes see opportunities in small, forgotten water sources such as flowerpot soil or clogged gutters, so ensure your garden and home are mosquito-free zones.
Vocational training in EC countries should consider incorporating health-and-wellness courses to educate individuals on the importance of protecting themselves from mosquitoes, such as recognizing different species and eliminating breeding sites.
To further mitigate the risks of mosquito-borne diseases, ongoing science research is crucial in studying the behavior and survival patterns of various mosquito species, like the Asian tiger mosquito, in different climates and environments.
