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ARCHIVED – San Javier urges residents to help prevent the spread of the tiger mosquito “style =” margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; floating: left “width =” 100% “/>
Avoid leaving puddles of standing water in gardens as they are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes
The arrival of warmer weather in the region of Murcia was particularly welcome this month after the very changeable conditions of early spring, but at the same time, temperatures rising in the thirties after the heavy rains March and April mean large numbers of mosquitoes are to be expected.
In recent years, the mosquito nuisance has been compounded by the spread of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), native to India and Southeast Asia which has made its home in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Spain. Each year, campaigns are launched by regional governments and local councils to control localized populations of the insect, but there is no major initiative at the national level, and as its eggs are able to survive the cold winter and freezing temperatures, the species is likely to disperse even further.
In San Javier, on the edge of the Mar Menor, the City Council again urges residents and visitors to follow the advice offered by the health authorities in order to minimize the spread of insects (see below), and ten mosquito traps have been installed. by the council to monitor the tiger mosquito population. These traps are located in public spaces throughout the municipality and if unusually high populations of tiger mosquitoes are detected, fumigation is stepped up.
It has now been ten years since San Javier began to participate in the Murcia region surveillance and control program, which this year is taking place alongside new initiatives concerning leishmaniasis and West Nile fever.
Steps to prevent the spread of the tiger mosquito
It is estimated that 90 percent of all mosquito colonies and their breeding grounds are on private property, hence the importance for members of the public to keep in mind the following recommendations:
– Avoid leaving excess water in the saucers after watering the potted plants or put fine sand in the saucers to prevent egg laying.
– Rinse the water through the sewers at least once a week.
– Constantly empty, wash and refill animal drinkers or drinkers.
– Check for sagging drains, gutters, pipes or places where water could collect.
– Avoid leaving standing water of any kind in the garden as it is fertile ground, so check the tires outside which might contain water after a storm (the mosquito would have arrived at the United States inside tires), pots, wheelbarrows, and other containers, as even the smallest can be an attractive breeding ground for this type of mosquito and others.
– Empty unused pools, ponds and buckets.
Simple prevention tips
There are different Ovitraps available for tiger mosquito control, which simulate the breeding grounds chosen by the mosquito.
Tiger mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, sweat, carbon dioxide, and other smells.
Wear light-colored clothing that covers as much of the body as possible if you are visiting an area with a large mosquito population.
Install a mosquito net to minimize the risk of getting bitten.