猛暑もうしょで「蚊か」も夏なつバテ？ 効果こうか的てきな対策たいさくを聞ききました

We interviewed people about this summers mosquito situation and effective countermeasures.

According to Mr. Kahara, the Aedes albopictus, which is characterized by its distinctive black and white stripes, is most active when the temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius, but its activity slows down when the temperature reaches around 35 degrees. When the intense heat continues, they rest in bushes or shady areas during the day and are active during the relatively cooler hours of the morning and evening.

Also, the Asian tiger mosquito becomes less active when the temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius, but since the period of high temperatures has been getting longer recently, there have been cases in Osaka where mosquitoes still come to bite even in November. This means that the period during which mosquito countermeasures are necessary tends to be prolonged.

They tend to stay still in the shade of the grass more often, but when the temperature drops, they become active again.

In recent years, the lingering summer heat has been getting more severe, and looking at this years forecast, I think mosquitoes will stay active throughout October, and there may even be some biting into November.

According to Mr. Kahara, mosquitoes do not have good eyesight, so they can only distinguish whether it is light or dark and whether something in front of them is moving.

By the way, you often hear people say things like people with blood type O get bitten more easily and talk about the relationship with blood types.

I also asked Mr. Kahara about this, but apparently there is currently no research showing a scientifically significant difference, and no evidence has been found that mosquitoes can distinguish blood types.

Mr./Ms. Kahara said that, even if there are some tendencies, factors such as body temperature, carbon dioxide, and the smell on the surface of the skin might have a greater influence.

I think many people use insect repellent spray to avoid getting bitten, so I asked about five important points to make sure it works effectively.

Insect repellent sprays contain ingredients that disrupt the sensors in mosquitoes antennae, so it makes sense to spray it on the outermost layer.

It seems that mosquitoes find the areas where insect repellent spray hasnt been applied and bite there.

Please make sure there are no unpainted areas.

Because we sweat and exhale carbon dioxide from our mouths, these areas are more likely to get bitten.

If you spray it directly, it may get into your eyes or nose, so please put the liquid on your hand first and then apply it.

If you wear thin clothes or tight-fitting clothes that cling to your body in the summer, it is recommended to spray over your clothes as well.

If you sweat, its important to reapply insect repellent spray.

First of all, its important not to let them into the house, but you should be careful because mosquitoes can get in when you open the front door after coming home or when you open a window to bring in the laundry.

Also, mosquitoes look for small gaps and sneak into the house.

It is said that mosquitoes can only fly up to about the second floor of a building on their own, but they can end up on higher floors by riding elevators or being blown by the wind.

Also, if water is left standing in potted plants on the balcony or in drains, those places can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

To prevent mosquitoes from getting in, it was said that hanging or placing goods outside on the balcony or by the entrance can help keep them out.

Lets take proper precautions and get through the long summer with mosquitoes!

Aired on Hot Kansai on August 22