Weather blamed for rise of mosquitoes in Sussex (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Weather blamed for rise of mosquitoes in Sussex
7:00am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter
The hot and humid summer has led to a sharp rise in mosquitoes across Sussex.
Pharmacists are reporting that scores of people are looking for treatment for painful reactions to bites in the last six to eight weeks.
They are warning people to take extra precautions and get bites treated to reduce the chances of them becoming infected.
Health bosses say the number of cases of people being bitten is higher than in previous years and believe it is partly down to the muggy weather.
Sheenagh Thorogood, pharmacist at the Asda store in Hollingbury, Brighton, said: “Thanks to the wet, warm weather the bugs are definitely out this summer and sales of bite and sting products are up by 60% this year.
“We're offering our customers advice on a whole host of different products designed to take the sting out of their bite.”
Mina Siera, pharmacist at Weston's in Coombe Terrace, Brighton, said: “We have noticed a higher number of people than usual coming in with severe reactions and it has been busier than in recent years.
“We are seeing between seven and ten people a week.”
A spokesman for NHS Sussex said: “There has been an increase in numbers of mosquitoes this summer.
“If you have been bitten by an insect then the first port of call is your local pharmacy.
“The pharmacist will be able to advise on a cream or lotion which can be applied to the bite or, in the case of severe bites or a large number of bites, offer advice on oral antihistamines.”
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has had several reports this year from various areas in the UK via its recording scheme to do with biting nuisance from mosquitoes.
A spokeswoman said: “With the current weather, water flooded habitats in many areas would provide a good environment for certain species of mosquito to develop, so there are probably more mosquitoes around, although not all species actually bite humans - some only bite animals.
"The public can take simple steps to make sure they reduce any biting nuisance in their own gardens for instance, such as not leaving stagnant water lying around in pots or paddling pools as these are good habitats for mosquitoes. We would also encourage the public to send any samples of mosquitoes they have found to the HPA, as part of the recording scheme.”
For more details about the HPA monitoring scheme, visit www.hpa.org.uk.
Have you suffered a nasty reaction to a mosquito bite? Tell us by calling the newsdesk on 01273 544543, emailing siobhan.ryan@theargus.co.uk or leaving a comment below.
Comments(15)
chrisinbrighton
says...
7:54am Tue 28 Aug 12
hot and humid summer what all one week of it !
Please put all mosquitos you've captured in a first class envelope and mail to the Argus at crowhurst road thanks
chilliman
says...
10:03am Tue 28 Aug 12
Is anyone selling mosquito nets for wine glasses or cups?
Pitviper
says...
10:48am Tue 28 Aug 12
chilliman wrote:Yes, try Lakeland Plastics in either Eastbourne or Brighton
I haven't seen any mosquitos but there are lots of midges and other small flies around. They seem intent on drowning themselves in my glass of wine so I've resorted to either drinking it faster or putting a mat over the top if I have to pause for breath. Is anyone selling mosquito nets for wine glasses or cups?
Cyclic
says...
10:51am Tue 28 Aug 12
Common sense really.
Poccypoc
says...
10:55am Tue 28 Aug 12
rolivan
says...
10:57am Tue 28 Aug 12
chilliman
says...
2:09pm Tue 28 Aug 12
Pitviper wrote:I'd forgotten about Lakeland - how could I?
chilliman wrote: I haven't seen any mosquitos but there are lots of midges and other small flies around. They seem intent on drowning themselves in my glass of wine so I've resorted to either drinking it faster or putting a mat over the top if I have to pause for breath. Is anyone selling mosquito nets for wine glasses or cups?Yes, try Lakeland Plastics in either Eastbourne or Brighton
Couldn't find any wine glass mosquito nets but Jam Pot Covers should do the job just as well. The flies will probably think I've built them a trampoline.
It's amazing how many kitchen gadgets I don't have and haven't missed.
Roundbill
says...
2:29pm Tue 28 Aug 12
chilliman wrote:I have a steam-powered electric kettle, used twicer and with all its packaging - yours for a fiver.
Pitviper wrote:I'd forgotten about Lakeland - how could I?
chilliman wrote: I haven't seen any mosquitos but there are lots of midges and other small flies around. They seem intent on drowning themselves in my glass of wine so I've resorted to either drinking it faster or putting a mat over the top if I have to pause for breath. Is anyone selling mosquito nets for wine glasses or cups?Yes, try Lakeland Plastics in either Eastbourne or Brighton
Couldn't find any wine glass mosquito nets but Jam Pot Covers should do the job just as well. The flies will probably think I've built them a trampoline.
It's amazing how many kitchen gadgets I don't have and haven't missed.
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
4:59pm Tue 28 Aug 12
StevieD
says...
5:11pm Tue 28 Aug 12
John Fallon
says...
5:16pm Tue 28 Aug 12
The Gnome
says...
5:31pm Tue 28 Aug 12
I recently heard the first lion of the Autumn; clear evidence of climate change for those of your readers who are still in denial about such matters.
Yours faithfully, S. X. Mann
sbiscorrupt
says...
5:51pm Tue 28 Aug 12
As long as someone is profiting...!
Enema of the peephole
says...
11:52pm Tue 28 Aug 12
Or should that be green tea leaf party - given the damage done to sustainable energy science?
ShorehamBeachcomber says...
7:19am Tue 28 Aug 12