Like every year, summer also marks the return of the tiger mosquito to almost all of France. According to the mosquito vigilance site, most departments are on red alert, which means that the small insect is widely established and active there. If the mosquito remains the enemy of our summer evenings, the tiger mosquito is just as disturbing, comes out during the day, and can be a vector of several viruses such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika. But how to protect yourself from it?
Reduce the proliferation of the tiger mosquito
First of all, you have to know how to differentiate the common mosquito from the tiger mosquito. The first belongs to the genus Culex, is recognizable by its noise and tends to come out at night. Conversely, the tiger mosquito is much smaller and is easily identified by its black and white stripes. Also, it is rather silent and bites mainly in the morning and evening. Heat is conducive to the development of tiger mosquito larvae, which grow in small water reservoirs, such as flower pots, gutters, vases.
To prevent their proliferation, the first thing to do is therefore to ensure that stagnant water is eliminated from all places where mosquitoes are likely to lay eggs, or to change it very regularly (for a vase, for example). For containers that cannot be emptied, it is possible to install a mosquito net or, failing that, cover the area with a layer of oil, which will kill the larvae by asphyxiation.
How to avoid stings?
If the presence of mosquitoes persists, several techniques can be used to avoid bites. First, wear loose clothing covering the whole body. Many repellents are also available on the market, but to repel tiger mosquitoes, the most effective are those based on icaridin, which has the advantage of having few toxic effects, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
For housing, the most effective technique is to install mosquito nets on the windows. Canvases that can also be installed above strollers or cribs for young children, as many repellents are not suitable for babies.
The number of dengue cases has greatly increased in France, with 65 autochthonous cases in 2022, according to figures from Public Health France. Also, in case of high fever, often accompanied by headaches, it is advisable to consult a doctor quickly.