Rainy nights on the Upper Rhine: mosquito plague is approaching!

Rainy nights on the Upper Rhine: mosquito plague is approaching!

Heavy rain at the beginning of the month ensured that the mosquitoes on the Upper Rhine were in the starting blocks. Where depressions and floodplains have filled in the past few weeks, the larvae have found ideal conditions for their growth. According to a report by the South German newspaper In some affected areas, as many as 100 to 200 larvae hatched per liter of water. The situation requires quick action, which is why mosquito control was ramped up over the Pentecost weekend.

The biological agent Bti, short for Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, was used to reduce the larval population. In the Rhine floodplain region, especially in Rastatt and the southern Palatinate, various methods were used to combat it. Smaller areas were treated on foot, while egg granules in larger areas were deployed quickly by helicopter. The first samples indicate a high level of control success and the situation in the riparian forests appears to be easing.

Mosquitoes and their role in nature

Mosquitoes are not just unpleasant nuisances; they are also an important part of the ecosystem. The species Aedes vexans and Aedes sticticus in particular contribute to the food chain by serving as food for many animals. Loud Federal Nature Conservation Association The comprehensive fight against mosquitoes is a double-edged sword. Too intensive control can massively reduce not only mosquitoes, but also their non-biting relatives, such as chironomids. These in turn are important for birds and other insectivores.

This topic is particularly important when you think about the long-term consequences of Bti operations. Studies show that up to 50 percent of the chironomid population can be affected by the use of Bti. This negative impact on the biodiversity of the region can lead to an imbalance in the long term, such as NatureProtection.ch highlights. Among other things, reduced breeding success was found in some bird species in Bti-treated areas.

Strengthen environmental awareness

A call for awareness is needed. The population should be informed about the negative effects that indiscriminate use of Bti can have. The use of such biological agents could be dangerous, particularly with regard to nature reserves. The Nature Conservation Union therefore demands that Bti not be used in protected areas and advocates alternative measures to combat mosquitoes. Measures should be carried out locally and not in sensitive natural areas, but rather through personal responsibility and natural predators.

So we can only hope that a sustainable solution can be found that does justice to both people and nature. Despite all efforts to combat mosquitoes, communicable diseases in Central Europe are not the main reason for the decimation of mosquitoes, but rather their annoying habits.