Bischheim town hall takes action against tiger mosquitoes: Free mosquito nets distribution

2024-07-13 11:36:31

Tiger mosquitoes continue to plague the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg. Laundering from which residents find it difficult to protect themselves. On the Bischheim market, the town hall has decided to take action: it is distributing free mosquito nets to residents.

This Friday, July 12, the free mosquito net stand set up by the Bischheim town hall was robbed. In crosshairs: tiger mosquitoes, which have invaded the town, like many municipalities in the Eurometropolis. A problem that is growing, and is ruining the lives of the residents.

“I moved to Bischheim a year ago, explains Bocar Ba. And to be honest, I didn’t take this parameter into account at all. I live in an apartment… and I have a park across the street! Needless to say, I know tiger mosquitoes… It’s a real problem. In the evening, when we open the windows to get some air, many mosquitoes are coming in. So I get out here under the stand.”

Bischheim town hall distributes free mosquito nets.
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© Arnaud Rapp / France Télévisions

Distribution of mosquito nets to cover water collectors, advice to citizens, discussion with representatives of the Union for the Fight against the Tiger Mosquito, the town hall has decided to get down to business. “The municipality fully supports the equipment, argues Marcel Kaya, Bischheim city councillor. The distribution is free. It is a scourge. People are becoming more and more affected. Unfortunately, some people just can’t take being shocked anymore. This leads to injuries, sometimes even hospitalization. We take the opportunity to raise awareness among people and give them advice.”

The first advice: avoid stagnant water, a real gold mine for tiger mosquitoes that settle there and multiply. Therefore it is necessary to empty the cups and cans of water regularly. “We continue to explain it to residents, it is very important, says Francis Frey, president of the Bischheim family gardens. There are more than four hundred gardens in the city. Suffice it to say that there is a lot to do on the mosquito side. Everyone is excited today. We have to say that again and again: don’t have stagnant water, let’s be careful.” Especially since during its lifetime, about one month, a tiger mosquito can lay… up to five hundred eggs.

The municipality’s dungeons will be dealt with soon.
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© Arnaud Rapp / France Télévisions

“I think this initiative is very useful, explains Mylène Froissard, hinhabitant of Bischheim. I have always put mosquito nets in front of my doors but now I listen to all the advice given and I am going to put more and more. I will also check the water cups. At home, there’s a lot of vegetation, which means it’s a constant struggle!”

Since this first distribution was a success, two more are scheduled for the next market days: Friday 19 and 26 July. The cost of the operation for the municipality: 6000 euros. In mid-July, it will be the turn of the sewers in Bischheim to be treated with organic larvicides.