The " Asian Tiger " is coming !

Evolution is a work in progress and not all of the outcomes are beneficial.  We have seen that in the deep jungles of Africa where closer contact between the human and animal worlds unleashed both AIDS and Ebola.  Now a new menace is knocking on the door of Australia !

It's official terminology is  "Aedes Albopictus ", but the people it torments call it the "Asian Tiger "
.  It is a new breed of mosquito distinguished by broad stripes - and a voracious appetite for human blood.  Most mosquitoes seek their meals in the evening and early morning, but this pest is active on a constant basis and is often referred to as "the BBQ wrecker "- because remaining outdoors becomes impossible.

It originated in Asia and quickly spread through both Europe and North America, and now it is within sight of Australia from the other side of Torres Strait.  It's arrival here is inevitable and it is a known carrier of at least twenty tropical diseases and they include Dengue fever and Encephalitis.   It is also a carrier of Chikungunya, a virus that is not present in Australia and which manifests itself with joint pain, vomiting, a rash, fatigue and violent headaches - and for which there is no vaccine or effective treatment.

This "Asian Tiger "is a hardy beast that it difficult to eradicate. In particular, it's eggs seem to survive weather conditions that destroy most mosquito larvae and it is a relentless attacker of any exposed part of the human body.  It's one weakness is the need for a water source in which to lay eggs and in future we will need to strictly control any part of our property where pools of rainwater can collect.

An old car tyre hanging on a rope from a tree makes a good swing for the kids - but it can also collect water - and breed mosquitoes.   A tarpaulin or plastic in the vegetable garden to control weeds can have hollows that retain a pool of water.  The list is endless and unless great care is taken the Australian summer outdoor life is at risk.

Fore warned is fore armed !    There is little doubt that this "Asian Tiger  will find it's way onto mainland Australia and the extent to which it becomes a menace and disturbs our laid back lifestyle will depend on how effective we are at stopping it gaining a foot hold, and that will depend on the average citizen blocking off it's water supply !