Mystic tiger: the war is declared!

"I am recognizable by my black and white stripes on the body and legs. My wings are black. I am small and I live during the day. Very active in 51 French departments, including Lot-et-Garonne, I particularly like flying around the ankles. I am also called Aedes Albopictus. I am, I am … The tiger mosquito. "

If in most cases, its bite is benign, this mosquito native to Asia can be vector of various diseases such as chikungunya, dengue or Zika. But to transmit these viruses, he must first have stung an infected person.

Jérôme Benne referent

In Castelculier, Jérôme Benne, municipal policeman, took a specific training offered by the ARS and the departmental council. It is for the town of Castelculier the referent responsible for organizing the fight against this scourge and makes regularly return his field observations to the departments of the prefecture as soon as the health watch begins. "My role is first and foremost to eliminate breeding places (nesting places) from the public domain: cemeteries, green spaces, schools, etc. Unfortunately, 80% of these cottages are in private homes. So I try to organize a citizen watch by raising awareness and informing the residents and businesses of the municipality. With a keen eye, everyone can become an actor in the fight against this invasive species, "says Jérôme Benne.

One egg every 12 days

The tiger mosquito is an urban insect. He loves places inhabited by men. The open spaces, ponds and ponds do not suit him because they are infested with potential predators. Once installed in a territory it is almost impossible to dislodge it. Finally a female can lay every 12 days, up to 150 eggs per egg and live from 2 weeks to 1 month and a half. Do the math!

All mosquitoes lay in the water except … the tiger mosquito that lays dry, in containers that will receive water later: feet of parasol, wheelbarrows, cans, cups, flower boxes, watering cans, tires, drains etc. This strategy allows the eggs to hatch for up to 9 months after laying.

"You should not leave more than four days a container full of water in your garden or on your terrace. Despite the precautions taken, people sometimes struggle to identify where the breeding sites are hidden. In this case, I can come and help them identify where the breeding places are. For example, under the slabs of a doorway where females have laid eggs and where water will seep during heavy rains. In summary, to defeat the tiger mosquitoes, you must cut the water! Or block their access to the surface of the water. If you have a storage tank to water your plants, equip it with a waterproof cover for example. A little sand in the cups of your flower pots will save you a lot of bites. Finally, check that the water supply of your flower boxes is closed.

More information on the ARS Nouvelle Aquitaine website.