Last year the alert for the tiger mosquito was launched throughout Italy, from North to South. With regions and areas more affected than the others: among them Puglia, Campania, Veneto, Lombardy and Piedmont and others , all with ‘red dot’ from infestation – only regions such as Valle d’Aosta and Trentino Alto Adige have been saved. The cause of this invasion, according to the technicians of the IPLA (Institute for Wood Plants of Turin), would be climatic changes, which have led to a tropical-like condition in many areas of Italy. Unfortunately, this year the problem does not seem to be completely resolved. This is why it is essential to know the danger you run and take action to minimize the risk of bites and transmission of dangerous viruses. Tiger mosquitoes, carriers of viruses
As is unfortunately known by now, mosquitoes from ‘simple’ nuisance have become a health problem. They are due to their peculiarity of carrying and transmitting diseases and viruses – including the dreaded Zika or Dengue or Chikungunya. Not surprisingly, the Piedmont Region confirmed the circulation of viruses of both medical and veterinary interest in 2018 by means of entomological surveillance. For this reason it is essential to avoid proliferation by all possible means: on the one hand, administrations should arrange for adequate disinfestations; on the other, citizens should implement some simple measures to avoid uncontrolled reproduction. What to do to get rid of mosquitoes
A simple remedy is to avoid leaving water stagnant in saucers or other situations (inflatable pools, flower holders, various containers, etc.): the tiger mosquito, experts recall, needs very little water to reproduce.
Specifically, or to the Emilia Romagna Region, he recommends:
– regularly treating drains and drainage and stagnation areas with larvicidal products (according to the indications on the label, from 7 days to 4 weeks depending on the type of product);
– eliminate the saucers and, where this is not possible, avoid the stagnation of water inside them;
– check that the gutters are clean and unobstructed;
– cover the cisterns and all the containers where rainwater collects with tight lids, sheets or mosquito nets well stretched;
– keep fountains and ornamental tanks clean, possibly introducing goldfish that are predators of tiger mosquito larvae. What not to do
– accumulate tires and other containers that can collect even small amounts of stagnant water;
– let the water stagnate on the sheets used to cover piles of material and wood;
– leave the watering cans and buckets with the opening facing upwards;
– leave the inflatable pools and other games full of water for several days;
– empty the saucers or other containers into the drains. Remedies for mosquitoes
There are also natural or biological remedies that effectively fight tiger mosquitoes: among these, for example, ‘Kulicide’ was tested in Turin, a “totally organic” anti-mosquito created by the entrepreneur Stanley Miller and which prevents the birth of mosquitoes intervening on the larvae ”, as explained by the CEO of Bio Anti Mosquitoes, Fabio Agosta, who has the exclusive rights of the product in Italy, France and Spain. «It is a biological liquid – underlines Agosta – made up of a mixture of natural extracts which, when immersed in stagnant water in streams, prevents the hatching of the larvae. Miller created it to fight malaria, Zika and Dengue which fortunately are not present throughout Italy but is also used for the tiger mosquito and other types of mosquitoes ».
Naturally repellent plants can also be used, such as Catalpa, Geranium, Citronella, Lavender and Lemon Balm. There are ‘natural’ products on the market that contain essential oils or essences of some of these plants, which can be used both topically and environmentally.
The Ministry of Health also provides its recommendations for protecting yourself from tiger mosquito bites: “The most effective personal protection tools are clothing and insect repellent products:
– Repellents must be applied to the uncovered parts of the body: to use them correctly and It is essential to respect the doses and methods indicated in the instructions on the label.
– To avoid bites it is advisable to always dress in light colors, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and do not use perfumes.
– It is advisable to minimize the presence of mosquitoes inside the houses by using mosquito nets, air conditioners and electro-dispensing devices of liquid insecticides or plates or coils, but always with the windows open ».
For further information and more information, visit the website www.zanzaratigreonline.it or call the toll-free number 800 033 033 of the Emilia Romagna Regional Health Service. There is also a video that teaches you how to defend yourself from tiger mosquitoes.
