Those who thought they would be rid of it will still have to wait. Mosquitoes are playing overtime this October, when the end of summer should normally mean their departure until next year. Farewells, however, were eagerly awaited after a complicated summer season which saw the mosquito population proliferate, particularly in Paca.
The cause of their persistent presence? Rather mild seasonal temperatures and the heavy rains of recent days which favor their development. You will therefore have to wait for the cold to return to no longer be bothered.
“October puts an end to the tiger mosquito”
“The month of October is decisive”indicates Grégory L’ambert, medical entomologist at EID Méditerranée (Interdepartmental Agreement for mosquito control on the Mediterranean coast), whose mission is to control mosquito species. “October puts a stop to the tiger mosquito when the nights get colderexplains the specialist. However, current temperatures remain compatible with its activity. Moreover, As the weather begins to cool down, it seeks more to enter homes, just as we seek to warm up indoors.”
As for other species of mosquitoes – including those that bother us at night – they have begun their winter decline phase. “They will disappear with the arrival of the cold towards the end of Novemberreassures Grégory L’ambert. Even if they remain present later in coastal areas, again due to the mild temperatures.”
The opportunity to recall some valuable advice: continue to monitor and especially empty the containers where water could stagnate around your house, pay attention to cellars, greenhouses and verandas where the vegetation is very dense. It is essential to remove these so-called larval zones.
Global warming to blame
With global warming, should we expect prolonged cohabitation for years to come? “Warmer autumns and winters will tend to favor persistent mosquito activity, admits the medical entomologist. Even if we should still be quiet for the next 50 years. Other good news is that the tiger mosquito is a species that cannot survive the winter. Because the days are getting shorter, her eggs don’t have time to hatch.”
On the other hand, during cold periods the tiger mosquito will take longer to become infected – with the dengue virus -, and will therefore be less able to transmit it to humans.
Reinforced surveillance system until November
“While the monitoring season is not yet over, the year 2024 is marked by 2 records in France and in the Paca region: that of the number of episodes of indigenous circulation (carrier of dengue fever Editor’s note) and of the number of indigenous cases“, also announces ARS Paca in its latest report.
As a reminder, dengue, chikungunya and Zika are diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito, present and active between the months of May and November. “Until the end of November, mosquito control interventions will be carried out around places frequented by cases to limit the risk of transmission, indicates the agency. They will help kill mosquitoes before they become contaminated by biting an infected person, or before they infect other people.”
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