FAQs Archive - Mosquito Alert

Q: 5.2. Some time ago I notified my city about tiger mosquitos in a certain area but the mosquitos continue to be a problem. What else can I do?

One option may be to coordinate with your neighbors to apply prevention measures in private areas (in your homes, patios, gardens, etc.). These measures are very simple and they are based on the principle of avoiding accumulations of small amounts of water. Public administrations do not have access to these areas. You can also help spread the word and use the resources and recommendations on the Mosquito Alert website. For example, you can share our informative publications and help spread our recommendations via social media. You can also use the Mosquito Alert app to map possible breeding sites in public spaces and send your sightings of urban Aedes. Once these data have been validated by experts, you will be better equipped to work with your city to find solutions.

Q: Why is it important that public administrations find out that there are tiger mosquitos in a given area?

This information is used for planning and applying control measures and for managing the problem. For example, in 2014 the arrival of the tiger mosquito to Andalusia was confirmed for the first time thanks to citizen data sent with the Mosquito Alert app. After receiving these sightings, Mosquito Alert team informed the Department of Animal Pathology of the University of Zaragoza which leads nationwide monitoring of the species and this entity decided to set traps at various locations in Andalusia, areas which had otherwise not been planned monitoring sites. When public administrations acquire knowledge that the species has been discovered in a new area they can begin to implement monitoring and control programs, including public awareness campaigns, the execution of preventative and/or corrective measures, and other actions to control the vector. Also, public health protocols may be activated, helping to prevent further risks in the case of infection with a disease such as dengue, Chikungunya , or Zika.

Q: I have already followed all of the suggested steps for mosquito prevention but my house is still full of tiger mosquitos. What else can I do?

The tiger mosquito doesn't fly very far, meaning that the mosquitos are breeding close-by; the breeding site may not be in your own house, but it could be in nearby public space, in fountains, in the houses of neighbors, etc. It might be a good idea to organize the neighborhood to help eliminate breeding sites in private areas and apply the necessary control measures. If you detect breeding sites in public spaces, you can share them with the Mosquito Alert app and communicate the results to your city. Sending data with the app and having them validated on the public map could help get the problem solved.

Q: How do I know if I have been bitten by a tiger mosquito?

Generally speaking, tiger mosquito bites often provoke greater irritation than those of other mosquitos, particularly after the first bites. It is common that the affected area of the skin turns red and swells. The itchiness and pain can be reduced by using products available at the pharmacy. Applying ice wrapped in a towel also helps since coldness reduces inflammation and itchiness. The golden rule is to never scratch the bite because this causes a greater reaction and worsens the situation (we know that this is easier said than done!). Some people are more sensitive than others and may have stronger reactions. If you have more questions or the bites only worsen, consult your pharmacist or doctor. To prevent being bitten, use mosquito nets or screens. Repellents can also be used but ask your pharmacist about their use and carefully follow the instructions for use. Also, eliminate any containers around your house that could serve as breeding sites.

Q: Why do not administrations spray with insecticides more often?

Fumigation is a tool that is only used in specific cases when the situation due to invasion of tiger mosquito is very serious. It is a practice regulated by a legal protocol and the European Community is preparing its prohibition for several reasons. On the one hand, the chemicals that are used to fumigate are toxic to people. In addition, when applied, evacuate the area and keep it insulated for 24 hours so it does not pose a health risk. On the other hand, it has not been shown to be a very sustainable option, since its effectiveness is very short and obliges to repeat the treatment periodically. They are only applied in strategic locations such as parks, hospital gardens, schools or cemeteries. They are also applied in times of very high risk of autochthonous transmission of diseases when a person comes from the tropic infected by a disease that could be transmitted by the tiger mosquito. The best measure of prevention is, therefore, to eliminate their breeding sites.

Q: Can I send photos of other mosquito species that bite me and are bothersome?

It is preferred that you didn't unless if it is related to a doubt about whether your mosquito is one of the two urban Aedes . The Mosquito Alert project's objective is to study the tiger mosquito and yellow fever mosquito because these are invasive species that can also transmit diseases including dengue, Chikungunya , yellow fever, and Zika. Our mission is to improve people's health and to better understand the distribution of these mosquitos. In the case of the tiger mosquito, we are working with a number of public administrations to control this species and forewarn about any potential epidemic.

Q: I have never seen a yellow fever mosquito. How can I differentiate it from the tiger mosquito?

There are three basic details that you will need to look for if you want to tell the difference between a tiger mosquito and a yellow fever mosquito. At first glance, both are small, about one centimeter in length, and they have white lines on their legs and abdomens, but looking closer some distinctive features can be seen: The pattern on the thorax: the yellow fever mosquito has 4 white lines - two thick ones and 2 thin ones - along the thorax which make the shape of a lyre. The tiger mosquito has a single white line on the upper part of the thorax, running all the way to the head. The color: the yellow fever mosquito is a dark brown color. The tiger mosquito is black. Lines on the abdomen: the yellow fever mosquito has a perpendicular white line on each segment of the abdomen, with round white spots on the sides. The tiger mosquito has a line which is similar to that of the yellow fever mosquito, but it is thinner, and there are triangle-shaped spots on the sides which are also smaller than the yellow fever mosquito's spots. Drawings: Jose Luis Ordóññez (CC-BY-NC-2.0)

Q: If the yellow fever mosquito isn't currently in Spain, why is it important to this project now?

The yellow fever mosquito ( Aedes aegypti ) is closely related to the tiger mosquito (they are from the same genera, but they are not the same species). The yellow fever mosquito can be a vector of the diseases Zika, dengue, Chikungunya, and yellow fever. In Spain, this mosquito has not been present for the past 75 years (the last time it was detected was in Barcelona in 1939 by the ecologist Ramon Margalef), but it could arrive to Europe once again due to globalization and the increase in global mean temperatures. Using the Mosquito Alert app, citizens will be able to report when they believe they have seen one of these mosquitos, and if confirmed the pertinent authorities will be notified.

Q: Are there many of these mosquitos in Spain?

Currently, the tiger mosquito has colonized most of the Spanish Mediterranean coast , especially the coastal areas of Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, the Balearic Islands, and some areas of Andalusia. It was detected for the first time in Sant Cugat del Vallés in 2004 but it is not known which country it arrived from. In Spain there are currently no populations of the yellow fever mosquito ( Aedes aegypti ).

Q: Where do these mosquitos breed?

The tiger and the yellow fever mosquitos lay eggs in places that accumulate a low to moderate amount of water such as small tanks or containers with stagnant water , plant pots and their water dishes, old tires, water drains, or even drained swimming pools. They do not breed in rivers, lakes, beaches, or large reservoirs. The aquatic mosquito larvae require stagnant water for about four days in order to complete metamorphosis into adults. The females lay eggs on the internal walls of the containers. These eggs are dark colored and elongated and are so small that they are almost invisible to the naked eye. Since under natural conditions the mosquitos don't travel more than about 500 meter radius from their birthplace, the adults and their breeding sites are always found nearby.