The usual evening gatherings on terraces in the suburban villages around the Slovak capital are turning into an ordeal. Residents of the Bratislava Region are complaining en masse about aggressive insects against which conventional repellents are no longer effective. Experts note that this is a dangerous invasive species—the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)—which has now firmly established itself in the region.
A wave of complaints is coming in from various locations. Residents of Ivanka pri Dunaji report that the usual insects have almost disappeared this year, while new ones—extremely bothersome ones—have appeared. Similar reports are coming in from Koliba, Chorvátsky Grob, Zálesie, and nearby Topoľčany.
What makes this new species dangerous and why it alarms epidemiologists:
- Daytime activity. Unlike ordinary mosquitoes, which become active closer to evening, this species bites during the day as well.
- Minimal breeding requirements. It does not need large bodies of water—females lay their eggs in the tiniest puddles of standing water, barrels, under flower pots, or in old car tires.
- Potential threat. The insect is a carrier of a number of dangerous viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
Experts advise thoroughly checking yards and balconies, not leaving open containers with rainwater, and using special protective measures. Details about the spread of invasive species and residents’ complaints can be found in this in-depth article.
