Fight against the Asian tiger mosquito: New measures decided in BW!

Fight against the Asian tiger mosquito: New measures decided in BW!

With the start of summer it gets warmer and humid again, and that doesn't just mean visits to the outdoor pool, but also that the mosquitoes are back. A particularly critical species is the Asian tiger mosquito, which is spreading rapidly in Germany and many other European countries. This invasive species, originally from Southeast Asia, can transmit a variety of tropical infections such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. And that really worries us, as baden-wuerttemberg.de reports.

In order to combat the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), the Conference of Health Ministers (GMK) announced a new proposal for combating it in Weimar on June 11th and 12th, 2025. A central element of this plan is the low-threshold distribution of biological Bti tablets to combat the mosquito population, which all federal states have already agreed to. However, the proposal still needs to be adapted to federal law before it can be implemented.

Local hazards and prevention

The special thing about the Asian tiger mosquito is that it is not only favored by warm temperatures, but also because climate change supports overwintering. In Germany, established populations can already be found in federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Thuringia as well as in warmer regions such as Freiburg and Munich. As br.de also notes, the EU and countries such as Spain, France and Italy are facing similar challenges due to climate change and international travel.

There are currently no local transmissions of diseases from tiger mosquitoes in Germany, but experts warn that the risk could increase as temperatures rise. Those returning from tropical areas must be particularly careful as they are potentially carriers of pathogens. Within 14 days of their return, they should pay attention to mosquito protection, including covering clothing, mosquito repellent and close-meshed window screens.

What can citizens do?

It is also the responsibility of citizens to do something about the spread of these unpleasant engravers. Outdoor water containers should always be sealed and maintained regularly to avoid breeding grounds. Unsuitable water in watering cans, paddling pools or birdbaths must be changed weekly. These small actions can make a big difference. The tiger mosquito itself is easily recognizable due to its characteristic black and white pattern and size of 3 to 8 mm, which also contributes to the early detection of potential breeding sites.

Awareness of the dangers of the Asian tiger mosquito is growing, and the Municipal Action Group to Combat the Schnakenplague e.V. is accepting reports about this mosquito. In addition, the development of new control methods, such as an RNA interference method, offers hope for better control options in the future, although these have not yet been approved.

Climate change is a challenge that impacts our lives, and the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito is just one example of how our ecosystem is sensitive to change. To counteract this, both measures by the authorities and responsible action by the population are required to minimize the risks.

For further information on protective measures and the current situation of the Asian tiger mosquito, we recommend reading the articles on tagesschau.de and baden-wuerttemberg.de.