The tiger mosquito, new terror of cities

With the arrival of sunny days, a seasonal scourge is taking hold in Var. From May to September, the department becomes a favorite breeding ground for mosquitoes, whose proliferation transforms the daily lives of residents and tourists. While several species coexist, one of them, which is particularly aggressive, has colonized urban areas: the tiger mosquito.

This young pharmacist assesses the state of this nuisance and evaluates protection strategies, distinguishing effective methods from illusory solutions. Enemy number one is now clearly identified. It has supplanted its counterparts in cities and suburban areas.

“The main species present in Var are the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a species that is now dominant. It is a small, black mosquito with white stripes. It lays eggs in saucers, gutters, and small standing water reservoirs.

It is also highly aggressive towards humans. It is active mainly during the day, early in the morning and especially between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.,” explains the young woman.

Alongside this new daytime threat, more traditional species continue to strike. The common mosquito (Culex pipiens) remains true to its nocturnal reputation, with peak activity between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., thriving in standing water rich in organic matter. Coastal wetlands, on the other hand, are home to marsh mosquitoes (Ochlerotatus caspius), which are particularly virulent at dusk after rainy spells.

Finally, more discreet, anopheles mosquitoes inhabit humid forest environments, mainly at night.

REPELLENTS Several factors explain why Var has become such a favorable territory for the development of these insects. The pharmacist details the ideal conditions that favor their multiplication. “The warm and humid Mediterranean climate extends their period of activity.

In addition, gardens, swimming pools, and saucers offer thousands of micro-reservoirs of water. Finally, global warming accelerates reproduction cycles,” she analyzes. This combination of climatic elements and human developments creates a perfect ecosystem for the tiger mosquito, which only needs very small amounts of water to lay its eggs.

Faced with this invasion, pharmacy and supermarket shelves are packed with products promising peace of mind. But are they all effective? “Not all mosquito repellent products are created equal.

Scientific studies clearly distinguish truly effective solutions from marketing gadgets,” warns the pharmacist. The most effective skin repellents contain molecules with proven efficacy. Products based on IR3535 or DEET offer very good protection, which can last from 4 to 8 hours.

Alternatives like the Bodyguard brand, which also uses IR3535, ensure good protection for 3 to 6 hours. On the other hand, essential oil sprays (citronella, geranium) show moderate and, above all, highly variable efficacy, with a short duration of action ranging from just 1 to 3 hours.

PROTECTION The fight is not limited to products applied to the skin. Other devices can provide valuable help. Plug-in devices remain a relevant solution for protecting a closed room from nocturnal mosquitoes.

Outdoors, mosquito coils offer decent protection for a terrace, although their effectiveness is significantly reduced by the wind. Portable diffusers, on the other hand, can create an effective local protective bubble. However, the specialist warns against certain highly popular but ineffective solutions: “Wristbands and ultrasound devices are very ineffective according to independent studies.”

Faced with an enemy that has completely redefined the rules of the game, the strategy must be comprehensive. “The tiger mosquito has profoundly changed daily life in the south of France: the nuisance is no longer just nocturnal but almost permanent around homes. Against it, the most effective solutions remain scientifically validated skin repellents, the systematic removal of standing water, and physical protections like mosquito nets,” concludes the pharmacist.