The aggressive, diurnal Asian tiger mosquito is on the rise. The public health department is asking for help in combating it.
Control of the Asian tiger mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito is a very aggressive, diurnal mosquito. The number of populations in Germany has been increasing since 2015. The "Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e.V." is fighting the tiger mosquito in Wiesbaden in cooperation with the Wiesbaden Health Department.
Where does the Asian tiger mosquito originally come from?
The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) originally comes from Southeast Asia. For many years, the tiger mosquito has been introduced through global trade and travel.
In Europe, the tiger mosquito was first sighted in Albania in 1979. About ten years later, the mosquito was discovered in northern Italy. Since then, it has spread northwards across the Mediterranean region.
In 2007, the tiger mosquito was detected at a highway parking lot (A5) near the German-Swiss border. Further tiger mosquito findings followed in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia, among others.
Why does the Asian tiger mosquito survive in my region?
The tiger mosquito is extremely adaptable and now also finds optimal conditions in Germany, such as mild temperatures in winter and therefore a suitable habitat. If no countermeasures are taken, the tiger mosquito can multiply rapidly in warm summer months and become a massive nuisance - even the smallest accumulation of water is enough for the tiger mosquito to multiply.
The tiger mosquito has the ability to form dry and cold-resistant eggs, which can survive temperatures as low as -10 °C. The larvae and pupae of the mosquitoes, on the other hand, die at temperatures below 11 °C. As a result, it is possible that a new generation of tiger mosquitoes will hatch from the eggs the following spring.
In Hesse, the Asian tiger mosquito has now been detected at various locations for several years in succession. It can therefore be assumed that the tiger mosquito can also overwinter in Hesse.
How do I recognize the Asian tiger mosquito?
The Asian tiger mosquito is a very small mosquito (approx. 0.5 to 1 cm) - it is significantly smaller than native mosquitoes. What clearly distinguishes the mosquito from native mosquito species are its black and white stripes across its entire body. The white stripe that runs from the back of the head over the entire back (thorax) to the base of the wings is particularly striking. On the hind leg, the coloration of the scales is black and white - five broad, silvery-white rings are visible, the last segment is strikingly white. The mouthparts consist of a proboscis and short, silvery-white palps.
In contrast to the mosquitoes known to us, it is active during the day and quite aggressive.
The Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e.V. (see further information at the bottom of this page) offers help in identifying possible tiger mosquitoes
Why should the Asian tiger mosquito be controlled?
The Asian tiger mosquito is considered to be extremely aggressive, is active during the day and can quickly become a plague and, under certain conditions, transmit pathogens such as the dengue, Zika, chikungunya and West Nile viruses to humans. The tiger mosquito does not naturally carry the pathogens, but must first bite an infected person.
The risk of infection in Germany is currently low due to the low spread of the pathogens. In order to keep the population density of the tiger mosquito and the nuisance caused by the mosquito as low as possible, effective measures should continue to be taken in good time.
Where does the Asian tiger mosquito live in my garden or on my balcony?
The eggs, pupae and larvae of the Asian tiger mosquito can be found in (very) small pools of water. Possible breeding sites include flowerpot saucers, buckets, garden utensils, watering cans, rain barrels, toys, standing water on tarpaulins, animal troughs and hollow fence posts. Any container where rainwater can accumulate or where there is standing water can be a potential breeding ground for tiger mosquitoes.
The adults can fly and thus move away from their breeding sites. However, the tiger mosquito is quite "lazy" and therefore only flies about 100 to 200 meters.
What measures are planned for the 2025 tiger mosquito season in the state capital of Wiesbaden?
A one-off inspection of all affected private properties in the Mainz-Kostheim district is planned for the 2025 tiger mosquito season. Citizens will receive comprehensive advice from KABS e.V. employees. Property owners and residents will be informed in advance of the planned control measures by means of direct mailings. The on-site appointment is free of charge and usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
In addition, accompanying trap monitoring is carried out to control the spread in Mainz-Kostheim - depending on the number of tiger mosquitoes found, this can also be extended to the south-east district.
The control measures and recommendations for action are carried out in coordination with the health department of the state capital Wiesbaden.
If you have any questions about the tiger mosquito, please send them to the following e-mail address: gesundheitsschutzwiesbadende
Why is my help in combating the Asian tiger mosquito so crucial?
There are a large number of suitable breeding sites for the Asian tiger mosquito, particularly in urban areas. This is why the tiger mosquito is mainly found here. You yourself can take effective measures on your property and in your garden to counteract their colonization.
As tiger mosquitoes only fly a few hundred meters, the breeding site is either on your own property or in the neighbourhood.
Your help is needed - protect yourself and those around you!
What can I do myself?
The most effective measure to control the Asian tiger mosquito is to avoid and eliminate potential breeding opportunities.
Important preventive measures in the period from April to October are, for example
Emptying water accumulations - at least once a week
Seal all places where water can accumulate
Store objects protected from rain or artificial irrigation
Keep drains clear so that water can drain away
Treat accumulations of water that cannot be removed with Bti tablets every 14 days
The Asian tiger mosquito sticks its eggs to the inside wall of water-filled containers. Rinsing containers with hot water at 60-70°C kills the eggs. The eggs can be effectively removed by thoroughly cleaning the inside walls with a brush. Then rinse the brush and the container with water and allow the water to seep into the meadow/soil, where the eggs will dry out.
Lively garden ponds with fish, newts or other predators, as well as chlorinated pools, are not breeding grounds for tiger mosquitoes. Proper drainage should be ensured for terraces on pedestals.
What are Bti tablets and where can I get them?
If you notice that the tiger mosquito has settled on your property despite the measures you have taken, you have the option of using so-called Bti tablets to control the tiger mosquito.
Bti is a protein crystal that is only lethal to the larvae of a few mosquito species. For other animals, such as bees, dogs, cats, hedgehogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians and, of course, humans, the biological agent is completely harmless. The active ingredient Bti has been used for many decades in biological mosquito control.
The Bti tablets are available free of charge from Wiesbaden Town Hall and most local authorities such as Biebrich, Dotzheim, Kastel/Kostheim, Schierstein and the Wiesbaden Environmental Shop.
Where can I find further information on the Asian tiger mosquito?
General information as well as recommendations for action and tips on the Asian tiger mosquito can be found in the links at the bottom of this page.
You can also contact the health department of the state capital Wiesbaden with any technical questions: E-mail address: gesundheitsschutzwiesbadende
Who is my contact person for health issues?
If you have any health-related questions about the pathogens transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito, such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus, or if you have any questions about possible vaccinations, please contact your family doctor.
Who can I contact in the event of sightings?
If you have sighted the tiger mosquito or suspect a sighting, please contact the Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e.V. (KABS e.V.) directly:
Where can I send captured mosquitoes for precise identification?
Findings can be sent to the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) for identification.
Further information can be found on the HLfGP homepage.
If you have any questions about mosquito findings or tiger mosquito monitoring in Hesse, please contact the Climate Change and Health Department of the HLfGP at the following e-mail address: klimahlfgp.hessende
