Article: Are we getting more mosquitos in the UK?

[Tony]

You can view the page at http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/con...to-s-in-the-UK

[udamiano]

Not heard of any cases as far as the Midlands, but have heard of cases on the south cost. the weather has alway been our biggest barrier with a good cold spell wiping out most of the problem. Interesting article though and certainly pause for thought

[santaman2000]

Not heard of any cases as far as the Midlands, but have heard of cases on the south cost. the weather has alway been our biggest barrier with a good cold spell wiping out most of the problem. Interesting article though and certainly pause for thought

Sounds logical but I'm not sure if cold really wipes them out. They survive very well indeed in marshy areas of Alaska and Canada.

[IanM]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14613140

[EdS]

an old problem re-emerging. The ague used to be a major problem in the marshes of the SE in middle ages. This risk form mossies in he UK has been talked about for a few years now. Partly due to easy international travel and the risk due to climate change: http://www.cieh.org/policy/result.as...chBox=mosquito

[southey]

I have been hammerd by mosy bites(NOT MIDGE, i know the difference) this year, there is a field that used to be a sports pitch over the road from our house, the woodland around it resembles muskeg in that its always damp to wet, it have drainage channels dug into the ground and a ditch all the way round which hasn't dried so far this year, I have one bit currently itching on my calf where i didn't deet when wearing shorts while of on a forage yesterday,

[udamiano]

Sounds logical but I'm not sure if cold really wipes them out. They survive very well indeed in marshy areas of Alaska and Canada.

very true, but most of these types of environments have long since been drained for agricultural development in the central part of the UK, so their normal refuge from the cold is no longer available. Marsh area maintain a slightly higher temp caused by natural decomposition of the plant material, although it is very slight, it's enough to provide some measure of protection to the larvae over the Winter, and snow itself provides a insulation blanket on the top, protecting from the harsh blizzards and low temperatures.

It is a good point though thank you for pointing it out

[santaman2000]

very true, but most of these types of environments have long since been drained for agricultural development in the central part of the UK, so their normal refuge from the cold is no longer available. Marsh area maintain a slightly higher temp caused by natural decomposition of the plant material, although it is very slight, it's enough to provide some measure of protection to the larvae over the Winter, and snow itself provides a insulation blanket on the top, protecting from the harsh blizzards and low temperatures.

It is a good point though thank you for pointing it out

The marshy areas provide standing water for the larvae. Without standing water they cain't reproduce in cold or hot climate. Although I expect that the marshy areas are only viable where they don't freeze solid over the winter.

[udamiano]

not much standing water in the Midlands. I don't know if your familiar with the Area ( i see your location is the US) the Mldlands is (was) a highly industrialised part of the Country, so much of the area was given over to manufacturing, and housing, we still have green areas but these are managed, by the local Councils or the Wildlife trust /Forestry Commission, so this provided a unintentional barrier to the Mozzie, as any infestations are destroyed by the local environmental officers, who keep an eye on this sort of thing. and as you say remove their habitat remove the problem

[santaman2000]

No. Not especially familiar with the Midlands. I was stationed in the Cotwolds (1985-1989) As I remember though most of the country was either developed or farmed with very little marshy/swampy areas. If that's still true, I expect you're correct and there will be little impact other than an annoyance.

[EdS]

plenty of standin water in the Midlands ponds,canals puddles on waste ground animal troughs to name but a few. Favourite breeding groundofthe Asian Tiger mozzie is stagmnant water in old tyres. Also how it got spread out of native area.

[santaman2000]

plenty of standin water in the Midlands ponds,canals puddles on waste ground animal troughs to name but a few. Favourite breeding groundofthe Asian Tiger mozzie is stagmnant water in old tyres. Also how it got spread out of native area.

The old Tyres would definitely fit the bill. As would the puddles if they are of a semi-permanent nature and protected from breezes.

However the ponds, canals, and animal troughs should be stirred up (animals watering or wading in the ponds, Breeze blowing across the ponds, boats traveling the canals, etc,) and thus not really get stagnant enough.

[sasquatch]

Quote; NHS Direct statistics show 9,061 calls in England complaining of bites and stings Really? That just sounds wrong to me! I've never rung NHS Direct for anything, I can't fathom why someone would ring about a mosquito bite...

[Harvestman]

Quote; NHS Direct statistics show 9,061 calls in England complaining of bites and stings Really? That just sounds wrong to me! I've never rung NHS Direct for anything, I can't fathom why someone would ring about a mosquito bite...

It's probably the same people who think all of the countryside should look tidy, with neat verges and not a grass blade out of place. Sort of "I was bitten by a mosquito! Its an outrage! Who do I sue?"

More seriously, some people may have serious reactions to insect bites, through allergies and so on, and may actually require treatment after a mozzie bite, even if all it does to other people is make them itch for a day or two.

[Welshwizard]

I,ve noticed an increase in all our biting insects this year ,for first time I can remember i,ve even had midges in our house biting me (in warm weather we sit with front door open ) and horse flies seem to be everywhere .

[santaman2000]

Quote; NHS Direct statistics show 9,061 calls in England complaining of bites and stings Really? That just sounds wrong to me! I've never rung NHS Direct for anything, I can't fathom why someone would ring about a mosquito bite...

Is that the whole quote? If so it's unclear if they were just mosquito bite or maybe bee/wasp stings and spider bites as well.

[sasquatch]

Is that the whole quote? If so it's unclear if they were just mosquito bite or maybe bee/wasp stings and spider bites as well.

I just took it from the above article so I'm not too sure, let's hope it includes some bee stings and spider bites as well!

[BOD]

Your big problem is likely to be dengue as the mosquito and the eggs of Aedes albopictus apparently can tolerate sub-zero conditions and the eggs dos not need to be in water but near water and can live in Switzerland.

Once it is established theres not much you can do even Singapore with its wealth, small size and efficeiency has failed to eradicate dengue as the mosquitos have adapted to live where we live.

[Sparrowhawk]

Your big problem is likely to be dengue as the mosquito and the eggs of Aedes albopictus apparently can tolerate sub-zero conditions and the eggs dos not need to be in water but near water and can live in Switzerland.

What does Switzerland have to with anything? Lots of things live in Switzerland. It has a very nice climate, which is attractive to mosquitoes, wasps, butterflies, moths and bankers. In summer it's a lot warmer there than it is here. I spent all my summers there as a kid and love the place. I never came across many mozzys or midges though, primarily I think because there was very little stagnant water. Lot of horse flies though!

[santaman2000]

What does Switzerland have to with anything? Lots of things live in Switzerland. It has a very nice climate, which is attractive to mosquitoes, wasps, butterflies, moths and bankers. In summer it's a lot warmer there than it is here. I spent all my summers there as a kid and love the place. I never came across many mozzys or midges though, primarily I think because there was very little stagnant water. Lot of horse flies though!

I don't think he was referring to the Summer climate. Rather this particular species ability to adapt to to survive colder Winters (hibernation abilities) and drier (no standing water required) areas.

[santaman2000]

...Once it is established theres not much you can do even Singapore with its wealth, small size and efficeiency has failed to eradicate dengue as the mosquitos have adapted to live where we live.

Yeah I don't know any country that has ever been able to completely eradicate mosquitoes but they can be controlled to an extent. The county is constantly fogging over here throughout the Summer. One of the best natural methods is to encourage your Bat population.

[Beardy]

Interesting slant on things. It seems to be similar to whats going on over here. I've spent this summer working in Iceland and have been surprised at the number of flying insects I've found - or rather, that have found me! Not mossies or biting per se, but something a little bigger and lazier than midges and every bit as annoying - not quite sure just what they are truth be told.

Anyway, I was surprised they could survive the winter here, and even this summer with it's late onset and a chilly start seems to not have deterred them. Speaking to the GF it seems this wasn't usual even a few years ago but now they are noting more and more insects and some different species too. Perhaps changing temperatures are allowing them to spread northwards and in another 10 or 20 years the mossies in the article will be here as well!

Another thing I noticed too was that these bugs are v common in coastal areas and around rivers, the water doesn't have to be stagnant for them. Although, maybe these are not dependent on the water at all and are just attracted to the rotting seaweed that gets washed ashore here?

And, what's the fogging method, a pesticide?

Cheers

Beardy

[BOD]

What does Switzerland have to with anything? Lots of things live in Switzerland. It has a very nice climate, which is attractive to mosquitoes, wasps, butterflies, moths and bankers. In summer it's a lot warmer there than it is here. I spent all my summers there as a kid and love the place. I never came across many mozzys or midges though, primarily I think because there was very little stagnant water. Lot of horse flies though!

Not having a go at Switzerland. I have been researching dengue and the extended range for A. albopictus includes alpine switzerland according to some reports.

[santaman2000]

...And, what's the fogging method, a pesticide?

Cheers

Beardy

Yes. Not sure just what though. The county's fogger trucks spray from the road near residential areas on a regular basis. When I was a kid it used to be done by crop duster aircraft. But now that I think about it, I believe the aircraft were targeting fire ants.

[Andy BB]

Tthe number of diseases carried by mosquitoes continues to rise. Last time I went to get my jabs updated from a topical disease centre before a trip I was given one for Japanese encephalitis (I think from memory) and was warned about the major spread of dengue fever, for which there is no vaccine.

Basic instructions were "cover up night and day, and splash on the Deet. (nothing else works anything like as well, regardless of any "word of mouth" recommendations).............. .........basically, stop getting bitten in the first place"

[Manacles]

Sounds logical but I'm not sure if cold really wipes them out. They survive very well indeed in marshy areas of Alaska and Canada.

In the 16th and 17th centuries there were malarial mosquitoes thriving in East Anglia, I remember some years ago reading about a chap there who was on his sixth marriage, his earlier wives all having died of malaria.

[santaman2000]

Tthe number of diseases carried by mosquitoes continues to rise. Last time I went to get my jabs updated from a topical disease centre before a trip I was given one for Japanese encephalitis (I think from memory) and was warned about the major spread of dengue fever, for which there is no vaccine...

And don't forget other parasites they carry. Heartworms can be fatal (will be if left untreated) to cats and dogs.

[Beardy]

Interesting development. Mosquito numbers falling in some places in Sub-Saharan Africa. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14685612 Originally it seems that control measures by humans were praised, but later on it mentions that the numbers are decreasing even where no control measures take place. Climate change is mentioned, but it seems they don't like erratic rainfall, rather than (what I half expected) to be increasing heat concurrent with them pushing further away from the equator, as in to the UK. Also mention of some sort of disease or affliction in the mossie population, and less resistance in the kids recently born should the population and malaria rate recover to 'normal'. Food for thought, in any case.

[comeonbabylightmyfire]

Ringing the NHS Direct for advice about bites is most definitely the right thing to do. Some people suffer extreme adverse reactions to bites and stings, often requiring immediate attention to combat worsening complications. These innocent mosquito bites can often lead to conditions like bursitis, and then there's the risk of subsequent infection which requires antibiotic treatment. People with existing health conditions can suffer exacerbations due to their current medicines regimen. If it's just an itchy bite then fine, but if you experience symptoms like massive swelling, nausea, respiratory difficulties or a rise in temperature then it's important to get immediate medical attention.

[procee]

We even have them here in the North, masses of Midges as well, but the midge (for me) only leaves a small red mark which rarely itches whereas the blooming mosquitos leave me with a large itchy swollen red lump that seems to last about 5 days. I only know this as I watched one feeding on the back of my hand a few weeks ago... I now just DEET myself up whenever I'm out and about in the forests up here.