- Mosquito Experts: Harassment in Many Places Has Decreased
Relief from the Plague: The harassment by mosquitoes has already decreased in many places along the Rhine. "The females of the riparian forest mosquitoes are now reaching the end of their natural lifespan, which is around six to eight weeks," the Communal Action Group for Combating the Mosquito Plague (Kabs) announced. The mosquitoes that hatched in the first half of June were already flying around by mid-June.
"By the end of August, the last females from this hatch will die," explained a Kabs spokesperson in Speyer. "Since then, no new major flood wave has hindered our measures, so there is no expectation of a new mosquito plague." The Kabs, a registered non-profit organization, consists of over 90 municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. Their mission is to control the breeding of mosquitoes to prevent a plague.
Experts are on standby
"Currently, there are no deployments taking place at Kabs," said the spokesperson. "The weather is currently very pleasant, and the thunderstorms are not causing significant flooding." It even looks like the water level of the Rhine could drop below the mean water level next week. "This hasn't happened in months. If the weather pattern continues, a new outbreak is not necessary in the near future." However, if a new flood wave arrives, Kabs will be ready for action - and will remain so until the end of the season in September.
The work of the experts with the active ingredient Bti, which kills larvae, is laborious: On the ground, those responsible for combating riparian forest mosquitoes fight their way through the thicket, but many breeding sites must be treated from the air. Here, helicopters are used. In some parts of southern Germany, mosquitoes are referred to as "schnakes" - which is actually incorrect, as the zoologically defined, much larger animals do not bite.
"Despite the decreasing mosquito population, it's crucial to remember that other insects, such as the 'schnakes' misnamed mosquitoes in some parts of southern Germany, can still pose health risks. These insects, although not mosquitoes, can carry diseases."
"The relief from the mosquito plague is still ongoing, with the last females from the June hatch expected to die by the end of August. However, vigilance remains key, as unexpected flood waves could potentially bring about a new outbreak, necessitating swift action from the Kabs."
