The Asian tiger mosquito

The Asian tiger mosquito
Gal Cohen – Expert pest control consultant

The Asian tiger mosquito is an invasive species native to the tropical areas of Asia, where there is plenty of water and humidity most of the year, which serve as the perfect environment for it to develop.

The weather in areas with a short rainy season, makes it difficult for the Asian tiger mosquito to operate and as such, most of its activity is in areas with irrigation and shade within a 100-meter radius. Private yards, open venues, cemeteries, parks and public playgrounds provide excellent development conditions for the mosquito.

A few facts:

• The mosquito develops in places with very little water such as small containers, at the bottom of flowerpots, in clusters of wet leaves, faulty water drainage, air-condition ducts, etc.  
• Unfortunately for us, not all of these places are exposed, since some of them are in concealed spaces with no access like drainpipes, cavities under the building, abandoned places, and more.
• The female Asian tiger mosquito lays her eggs in these places and they can remain intact for a period of up to two months.
• The mosquito’s life span is about 8-10 days.
• The mosquito (or female mosquito to be precise), doesn’t bite at night. The mosquito usually bites after sunrise and before sundown. That’s an important parameter in identifying the mosquito.
• The Asian tiger mosquito tends to mostly rest when active between the shaded plants, lying in wait for a victim.
• It feeds primarily on plant nectar, and the female feeds on the blood of its victims. The female bites in order to suck blood which nourishes her with proteins found in the blood, in order to produce the eggs.
• The mosquito is mainly active in shaded areas.

The Asian tiger mosquito – harassing and dangerous

The mosquito bites feel like a painful stab and itch terribly.

The intensity of the itch varies from person to person. The mosquito can also bite through your clothes.

The Asian tiger mosquito can transmit diseases to humans and it is estimated that these diseases will spread to many countries in the future.

Changing our outdated mindset

So far, the professional bodies at government ministries taught us to dry out sources of stagnant water in order to prevent a cozy environment for the mosquitos to develop.

When the municipal dispatch received a request from a citizen, it would usually send the pest control unit of the local authority responsible for dealing with the water sources in the area, such as streams, winter puddles, etc.

Since we already know that the source of the Asian tiger mosquito is in our yard, and that the mosquito develops in places with very little water like small containers, at the bottom of flower pots, in clusters of wet leaves, faulty water drainage, air-condition ducts, and other concealed and unapproachable places like high drainpipes, under buildings and other locations, we cannot continue dealing with it like we deal with mosquitos of other species.

The most effective treatment against the Asian tiger mosquito is combining it with BUG insecticide.

BUG – and no more mosquitos

The product BUG, is an insecticide for exterminating the Asian tiger mosquito.

The product’s formulation enables it to be effective for a long time and exterminate adult mosquitos in the treated area.

The control treatment is performed with a high-pressure motoric sprayer.

The product is sprayed on and inside vegetation surrounding the building being treated, as well as on tall grass.