Severe flooding in southern Germany in June means conditions are prime for mosquito eggs to hatch. Locals around the Lake Constance area have seen the local mosquito population explode.
Flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria has left fertile conditions for mosquitoes around Lake Constance (Bodensee) to lay eggs and for eggs to hatch, amounting to a population explosion.
Speaking to the dpa, Environmental and Climate Protection Officer in Radolfzell, Rainer Bretthauer said that one could speak of a mosquito plague in the region.
Flood mosquitoes like to lay their eggs on damp ground, where the eggs can survive for years. When the area is flooded once more, the egg develops into a biting mosquito. This is why large-scale flooding can lead to mass egg hatching.
Bretthauser advised anybody in or coming to the region, a popular holiday destination, to wear loose-fitting and long clothing and avoid the twilight hours when the critters are at their most bloodthirsty.
But like all annoying bugs and beasties, mosquitoes have an important role to play. According to Germany’s Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), a mosquito population explosion can be positive for other wildlife.
"All the insects that are now developing are a very important food source for many fish species and also for birds," Eberhard Klein from NABU Constance told the dpa.
There are thought to be around 50 different species of mosquito in Germany.
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