The city of Mainz has been a member of the Municipal Action Group for Combating the Mosquito Plague (KABS e. V.) since 1988. In addition to controlling native Rhine, forest, and house mosquitoes, KABS also combats newly emerging exotic species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito.

The tiger mosquito, which is relatively small compared to native mosquitoes, is active during the day, prone to biting, and recognizable by its characteristic black and white pattern and a distinctive white-silvery line running from its head to its back. The transmission of diseases by the tiger mosquito is fundamentally possible.

Important to know: the tiger mosquito does not naturally carry the pathogens, but must first bite an infected person who has the corresponding viruses in their blood. Tropical viruses are not currently widespread in Rhineland-Palatinate, but can be introduced by travelers returning from abroad. There is then the possibility of transmission from an infected person to another person via the tiger mosquito. The probability of becoming infected with pathogens through a tiger mosquito bite is currently low.

To limit the spread of the bite-prone tiger mosquito, control and prevention measures are necessary on public and private property. Privately, you can counteract colonization by checking your garden, balcony, and buildings for possible breeding sites at the beginning of spring. Suitable breeding sites include even the smallest accumulations of water that do not dry out completely for at least 7 days, such as on flat roofs, in watering cans, flower pot saucers, gutters, yard drains, or in open rain barrels. A water level of approx. 100 ml is sufficient.

Possible measures include repairing defective flat roofs or cleaning rain gutters. Objects on flat roofs where water can accumulate unnoticed, e.g., plastic sheeting, should be removed.
Rain barrels can be closed with lids or fabric to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

During the summer months, care should be taken to regularly empty and clean bird baths, flower pot saucers, children's paddling pools, etc. All of the measures mentioned are also effective against the well-known native Rhine, forest, and house mosquitoes.

If water accumulations cannot be eliminated, regular biological treatment of the breeding sites is possible. For this purpose, an active ingredient derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.) is used, which specifically kills mosquito larvae. The active ingredient is harmless to other insect groups such as bees, as well as to pets, hedgehogs, birds, and humans. The active ingredient is available to Mainz residents in tablet form from their local administration office. It is not easy for untrained individuals to identify all potential breeding sites.

KABS e. V. will continue to provide advice on the tiger mosquito population and how to combat it in the Mainz city area in the already known areas (Bretzenheim, Finthen) from the beginning of May to the end of September. Breeding sites on public and private property will be treated by trained KABS e. V. employees.

Property owners whose land is located in an area where tiger mosquitoes are prevalent will be informed in advance about the upcoming control measures. Residents in the affected areas are asked for their cooperation, as this is the only way KABS e. V. can successfully combat the Asian tiger mosquito and limit its further spread. An on-site inspection by KABS e. V. employees usually takes no longer than 10-15 minutes. There are no additional costs for those affected by the KABS e. V. intervention.

Reports of suspected sightings are very helpful in identifying other possible areas of distribution of the Asian tiger mosquito at an early stage. Photos of the mosquito, preferably from different angles, are particularly helpful in assessing whether it is an Asian tiger mosquito.

Please help stop the spread of the tiger mosquito!

If you have any questions or would like to report a sighting, please contact tigermueckekabsevde