It is the regional health agency that says and repeats it: after Indre or Cher, the tiger mosquito continues to expand in the Centre-Val de Loire and settles permanently in Indre-et-Loire. In total, it is listed in 4 of the 6 departments of the Centre-Val de Loire.

“The analysis of individual reports and the survey of nesting nets made it possible to trace the presence of the tiger mosquito in two towns of Tours Métropole: in Tours, around the Place Coty and in Jou-les-Tours, around the Cemetery de La Rabier. Limitation of colonized areas makes it impossible to consider insecticide treatments” Reported to health officials at the end of 2020 and there is no doubt that the number of these sites will be higher this summer.

The first egg laying was observed on 22 June in Indre. There is a possibility of insect bites by November. To monitor this, 250 traps were set up in the area, and it is the Innovalis lab in Tours that is in charge of this mission.

“The tiger mosquito can transmit certain viruses (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) if it bites a recently infected person during a trip to the intertropical zone” Indicates the regional health agency again. Remember that the animal’s egg resists the cold of winter… so it reappears like a flower during the spring, and can therefore quietly exert its effect. Hence the idea of ​​avoiding giving him favorable living conditions…

So how do you slow its expansion?

1 – “Before winter, turn off the water to prevent the spread of mosquitoes and protect yourself” Indicates that the ARS specifies that ” Each female tiger mosquito lays about 200 eggs. In contact with water (even in small amounts: the equivalent of a plastic bottle cap is enough to lay eggs), the eggs lay larvae. This is where it is necessary to act by removing all the stagnant water! “

2 – Cover water tanks: water cans, pools, basins with a veil or a simple cloth as well as swimming pools that are out of use. Eliminate places where water can collect in and out: flowerpot cups, used tires, heavy items, children’s games. Also remember that cemeteries should maintain burials in places conducive to the growth of mosquitoes. Check the correct flow of rainwater from the gutter.

3 – Learn to recognize a tiger mosquito to signal its presence. It is very small (about 5 mm, includes wings and proboscis), has black and white stripes (not yellow), on the body and legs, it lives and stings during the day, its sting is painful. You can report through the site www.signalement-moustique.fr.

Photo: Place Coty Inn Tours, inhabited by Tiger Mosquito.