Can you get mosquitoes in britain

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. Poppy Logo. FB house promo. Sign Up for News Updates. Mosquito Facts and Myths. Information for Travellers. Types of Travel. Special Risks. Mosquito Facts and Myths Mosquitoes have been around since the Jurassic period, million years. They pierce the skin and suck blood into their body through a choice of two special tubes. Experts have warned that a new breed of mosquitos carrying deadly viruses could already be circulating around the UK.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito, which has the potential to pass on 23 infections including West Nile virus and dengue fever, could be attracted to the UK by the mix of sunshine and rain in recent weeks. Mosquitos found in the UK are usually harmless to humans, but another new breed carrying the potentially deadly Zika virus is also thought to be circulating in the UK, making the bugs 'very dangerous' to be around, according to Government officials.

Experts also fear the new mosquitos could begin to mate with the native UK bugs, which could spread disease more rapidly. Asian Tiger Mosquitos are particularly dangerous because unlike other mosquitos, they bite throughout the day, as opposed to being active at dusk or dawn. Press release PestAware. Spring marks the start of the flying insect season in the UK and current weather patterns could see numbers soar, according to a national trade body.

The British Pest Control Association BPCA says the recent spate of wet weather caused by heavy rainfall, coupled with a rise in spring temperatures, provides a fertile environment for insects such as mosquitoes to flourish. BPCA is now urging the public to be pest aware and maintain environments at home and work that prevent mosquitoes from thriving. The UK is home to more than 30 types of native mosquito species, some of which bite and create a general nuisance.

The commonest species indoors, often misidentified as a Gnat, is Culex pipiens. It does not bite but is almost indistinguishable from Culex molestus which does. The public can take steps to reduce the opportunities for mosquitoes in general to take hold.