New strategies against tiger mosquitoes: KABS launches catalog of measures!

New strategies against tiger mosquitoes: KABS launches catalog of measures!

The Asian tiger mosquito, known asAedes albopictus, is currently causing heated emotions in many communities, especially in the Cologne area. This uninvited insect was first detected in Germany in 2007 and has continued to spread since then. The first finds were specimens at a rest stop on the A5 near Weil am Rhein, but stable populations have now been documented on the Upper Rhine and in 22 urban and rural districts, including 16 with established populations. The KABS (municipal action group to combat the mosquito plague) is strongly challenged to develop new strategies to combat this plague. echo online reported on the tense budgetary situation of many member municipalities and the resulting steps to contain the tiger mosquito.

In order to offer municipalities a uniform approach, KABS has created an extensive catalog of measures. This catalog gives members the opportunity to choose from various components such as Bti treatment, special advice for citizens and training for those responsible, so that the measures can be adapted to their own budget. The primary goal: A clear overview of effective measures against the tiger mosquito, such as staatsanzeiger.de is explained.

The dangers of the tiger mosquito

The tiger mosquito doesn't just have a bad reputation because of its aggressive biting activity, which can mainly be observed during the day. With its size of two to ten millimeters and the distinctive white stripes, it is easy to recognize. Not only are these little beasts annoying, they can also transmit dangerous viruses like dengue, Zika and chikungunya. So far, no local virus events have been documented in Germany, but the risk increases, especially if the tiger mosquito settles in areas with sources of infection and how swr3.de reports that climate change is promoting their spread. Active control is therefore essential.

Insight into the handling of the tiger mosquito shows that different communities deal with the situation differently. While some cities such as Freiburg and Breisach work intensively with the KABS, others, such as the city of Kehl, view the control measures more as damage limitation and have given up on the comprehensive fight.

Prevention measures and citizen participation

In order to at least limit the spread of the tiger mosquito, municipalities rely on various prevention and control strategies. A key measure is to eliminate possible breeding sites. This includes draining water build-up in flower pots and rain barrels. There are also tips such as the use of BTI tablets and the use of fly screens and anti-mosquito sprays as protective measures for citizens. It is also important for the population to report tiger mosquitoes in order to discover new populations at an early stage.

The city of Neuenburg am Rhein has developed a particularly effective strategy. Here the areas are divided into five zones, where so-called “tiger mosquito ambassadors” take over the coordination of the measures. These ambassadors form neighborhood coalitions and receive training to implement effective control strategies. In 2023, over 1,000 hours of volunteer work were mobilized by a citizens' initiative.

Finally, it remains to be said that the Asian tiger mosquito is an increasingly pressing problem for many municipalities in Germany. A uniform approach and active citizen participation are crucial to getting the situation under control and maintaining the quality of life outdoors. This is the only way to keep the fermenting summer a pleasure independent of annoying insects.