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A lot of sunshine in spring In 2017 Germany is facing an extreme mosquito infestation
In recent weeks, ideal weather conditions for mosquitoes prevailed. The little pest ghosts are therefore traveling much earlier this year. In 2017, it could even come to a veritable mosquito plague. Experts have tips that help against annoying mosquitoes.
Ideal weather for mosquitoes
If the year continues to be so sunny and warm and enough rainfall, then 2017 could be a good year for mosquitoes. Already now, two to three weeks earlier than usual, the blood-sucking pests were swarming, biologist Dr. Doreen Walther, mosquito expert in the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (Zalf) in Müncheberg in Brandenburg in a message from the dpa news agency. If there is no sudden cold snap, that would be ideal for the more than 50 mosquito species in Germany, according to Walther.
This year, mosquitoes are traveling much earlier than usual. The reason for this is above all the warm and sunny spring weather. In 2017, it could come to a veritable mosquito plague. (Image: Kletr / fotolia.com) Spread of exotic mosquitoes
"It will be exciting. If the conditions are right, there could be many generations of mosquitoes in 2017 - to the chagrin of the people, "said the scientist.
Around 3,500 species of mosquitoes are known worldwide, with around 50 species in Germany alone. Experts are worried about the increasing spread of exotic mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito in Germany, which can transmit numerous pathogens such as viruses, protozoa and roundworms.
Although infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or even Zika be transmitted by mosquitoes, but the risk of getting a disease in this country over a sting is, according to many experts, vanishingly small.
Sparse knowledge of native species
But: "While the biological properties of tropical mosquito species, which are known in their home as carriers of pathogens, reasonably good knowledge exist, the knowledge of the native species is very sparse," it says on the portal "Mosquito Atlas", in which the Zalf collaborates with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health).
And further: "U.a. there is no data on whether native mosquitoes could transmit introduced tropical pathogens. "
Freshly hatched specimens on the way
Mosquitoes that are already flying around wintered in cellars or attics. According to Walther, but especially in southern Germany also just hatched specimens on the way.
"Blood suck only the females however, because they need the protein for the education of their eggs", so the scientist according to dpa.
In addition, the bloodsuckers also Kriebelmücken and the midges, whose season usually begins in May.
To the former, Walther said: "Larvae, for example, are sufficiently present in the Oder, so that it could come to a mass occurrence, as long as it is not suddenly cool and rainy."
Black-legged mosquitoes are particularly annoying because they crawl under people's clothing and leave large, itchy wounds that heal badly.
And biting midges were already trapped in traps, according to the expert: "The only two millimeter small pest ghosts are traveling at dusk and prefer to sting at the human hairline."
Protect yourself from itchy bites
You can not completely escape the pests. But at least you can often protect against itchy stings - including so-called all-in-one sprays, which are also supposed to protect against ticks, grass mites and other insects.
In addition to such funds, there are many other things that help against annoying mosquitoes. So you can at home or in the tent insects by mosquito nets keep away and protect yourself in the open by bright, skin-covering clothing from stings.
According to various studies, the bloodsuckers are attracted by bad smell, like sweat or smelly socks. This should therefore be avoided. The home remedies for mosquitoes include odors such as garlic or cabbage. (Ad)