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Mosquito infestation: what challenges and solutions for professionals?

Recognizable by its black and white stripes, the tiger mosquito is today present in 67 departments. Arriving in France in 2004, this species is extremely invasive. It only takes a little water for the female to lay hundreds of eggs every day, which are themselves resistant to extreme conditions. Humidity and heat, this type of weather is ideal for the species. Additionally, mosquito eggs are more resistant to low temperatures than other species. This is why their proliferation is accelerated in stormy weather.

THE TIGER MOSQUITO ASSAULTING THE COASTS

The tiger mosquito is strongly represented in the south-eastern quarter, where it was detected for the first time in France. Due to the economic situation, holidays within France were particularly popular during the summer of 2022. The coastline emerged as a big favorite with the French. According to a study of PAP vacances, the number of travelers increased by 23% for the PACA region, and by 20% for Occitanie.

Historically among the first regions affected by the invasion of the tiger mosquito, today they remain those where the species is most represented. In the tourism and catering sectors, the impacts of these nuisances were very strong.

THE IMPACT OF MOSQUITO ATTACKS ON TOURISM AND RESTAURANTS

Favorite destinations for the French, the cities of the south of France have been strongly impacted by nuisances. During vacations, it is particularly difficult to protect yourself from mosquitoes. At home, we have mosquito nets, anti-mosquito sockets, anti-mosquito coils, etc. However, on a restaurant terrace or while camping, we are vulnerable to mosquito attacks. Some people are even more sensitive: children and infants, people allergic to mosquito repellent products applied locally.

For cafes and restaurants, terraces have been the target of mosquito. Customers cut their meal short, sometimes leaving after a simple aperitif. The observation is the same for campsites and hotels, particularly in Grau du Roi and in the Camargue. More than just a meal, vacationers have sometimes gone so far as to shorten their vacations, rather than spending them locked in their accommodation.

These mosquito attacks have a direct impact on the turnover of professionals. The shortfall is considerable. But then, how can we act on a natural factor?

ANTI-MOSQUITO SOLUTIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS

Mosquito nets, repellent spray, anti-mosquito sockets, spirals, the traditional solutions that we can put in place at home are not or hardly suitable on vacation.

For restaurants, certain anti-mosquito tips are incompatible with the comfort of customers in enjoying their meal. For the food industry, using a solution that impacts taste and smell deteriorates the customer experience. The anti-mosquito spirals to burn present, in addition to the odor, dangers for the pulmonary passages, and risks of fires and burns.The use of mosquito repellent sprays also has a strong odor and an unpleasant taste if fingers are brought to the mouth after being in contact with the product. Sprays should also be avoided on children under 6 years old, who are nevertheless not immune to attacks from swarms of mosquitoes.

For campsites, lodges and outdoor accommodation, the main constraint is the surface to be protected. This is often coupled with the presence of swimming pools and ponds, places popular with female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. For large spaces, the most used solution is the spreading of larvicides by plane in humid areas. Treatment by spreading also has its limits. Used too much, it becomes ineffective because the species becomes accustomed to it and becomes resistant to the insecticides used. In addition, it is only effective on one stage of the mosquito’s life cycle: the larvae. Adult mosquitoes and eggs are therefore not affected, and continue to proliferate.

THE ANTI-MOSQUITO TRAP, AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR PROFESSIONALS

Faced with these constraints, the Qista anti-mosquito trap is placed as an optimal solution. The trap works with a recycled CO₂ cylinder, and lures which attract mosquitoes by reproducing the body odors they seek.The lures are adapted according to the type of mosquito present: tiger mosquito or common mosquito. Thinking of coming to bite a human being, the female mosquito approaches the mosquito trap and finds herself sucked into the capture net. This prevents the laying and proliferation of mosquitoes. Instead of acting on mosquito larvae, like spraying, the trap breaks the reproduction cycle upstream. Installed before summer, this solution helps protect customers throughout the season, by reducing the mosquito population. It thus protects the whole family, and does not require contact with the skin. The products used do not pose a risk of poisoning to humans or animals, and also protect the surrounding ecosystem thanks to selective capture technology. Set up in networks, several terminals can create a protection zone of more than 500 square meters. Traps can be controlled directly from a smartphone and maintenance can be carried out entirely by Qista.