In Germany this summer, a mosquito invasion is causing problems for many people, from national football players to ordinary citizens. The situation is particularly bad in Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Bavaria. Mosquito repellent is in short supply in retail stores and pharmacies, especially in southern Germany. The rush to buy repellent has caused shortages in many stores, with some common products being sold out.
Pharmacies are also experiencing shortages, with increased demand for mosquito repellent compared to previous years. The abundance of mosquitoes this year is a result of the recent floods, which create ideal conditions for the insects to breed and proliferate. According to experts, the mosquito population may not decrease for another two to three months, as eggs continue to hatch in stages.
Doreen Werner from the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research explains that every flood is followed by flood mosquitoes, and the current situation is a direct result of recent flooding in Germany. While relief may not come quickly, experts believe that within a few months, the mosquito population should decrease. In the meantime, people are advised to protect themselves as best as they can from mosquito bites, despite the shortage of repellent in stores.