Alarm in Munich: Asian tiger mosquito is spreading in Großhadern!

Alarm in Munich: Asian tiger mosquito is spreading in Großhadern!

There is currently a special topic in Munich that is causing a stir in the Großhadern and Laim districts: the Asian tiger mosquito. This voracious little pest has become established here in recent years and is now causing growing concern. The City is informing affected households that these populations are already well established and it is time to take notice. Urban tiger mosquito monitoring studies show that the small bloodsuckers have not only arrived, but will continue to grow. With the current weather conditions – a mix of hot spells and rainy days – the signs for reproduction are even better.

The good news is that the risk of infection from a bite in Germany is currently still low. But since the tiger mosquito was first spotted in Munich in 2019, it has been observed that it is spreading rapidly. There could soon be more of these uninvited guests, especially in the affected districts, if appropriate containment measures are not taken.

What to do about the tiger mosquito?

The city's health department has already responded and is offering various tools to identify the mosquitoes. Conspicuous mosquitoes can be sent to the mosquito atlas, which is published by the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V. and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. Alternatively, a mosquito identification can also be carried out at the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL). To do this, mosquito specimens can be sent, but care should be taken to ensure that they are securely packaged in a matchbox or plastic tube and are not sent in liquids such as alcohol.

Anyone who believes they have found a tiger mosquito can contact the LGL with the following information:

• Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL)
• Landesinstitut für Tiergesundheit II
• Sachbereich TG 6.3
• Veterinärstraße 28
• 85764 Oberschleißheim

It is crucial for the people of Munich to also take preventive action. Especially in the warm season, you should pay attention to standing water in the area, as tiger mosquitoes feel particularly comfortable here. A quick reaction and a good hand in dealing with the situation can help contain the spread.

As the summer gets hotter, we may have to prepare for an increased presence of these insects. The City is closely monitoring developments and will continue to provide information. So stay alert and share your observations - together we can create a good environment in which the tiger mosquito does not settle so easily.

More information can be found at Süddeutsche and City of Munich.