If you feel like you're not getting as many bites this year or that they've "disappeared" from your neighborhood, the reality is a bit more complicated: Mosquitoes haven't gone anywhere, they've just changed their habits due to the heat and drought. While the daily nuisance may seem to have diminished in many urban areas or yards, authorities are on high alert due to the increased circulation of West Nile Virus.
Their apparent "disappearance" is due to the following key factors:
1. Extreme heat and drought Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs and high humidity to survive. With the prolonged high temperatures and lack of rainfall, many small water sources (in puddles, flowerpot saucers, streams) have dried up completely. Furthermore, when the temperature exceeds 35–40°C, mosquitoes become stressed, dehydrated and die much more easily.
2. They changed their scheduleBecause the days were unbearably hot and dry, mosquitoes became “nocturnal”. They wait until late night or dawn, when the temperature drops and the humidity rises slightly, to come out to feed. If you are inside with air conditioning at those times, you simply do not encounter them.
3. They moved to cooler “refuges”Instead of flying around lights and porches, they hide in very dark, cool and damp places to escape the heat: In dense, watered bushes and foliage. In basements, wells, drains and shady garages.
4. Intensive sprayingThis year, the Regions and Municipalities have launched extensive ground and aerial spraying programs, increasing their actions (especially in Attica and Macedonia) to limit their populations near residential areas.
But why is attention needed?
Despite their reduced annoying presence in the home, the mosquitoes that survive (mainly the common Culex mosquito) are transmitting the West Nile Virus with great intensity this year. At the same time, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has spread almost throughout Greece and bites mainly during the day.
