In Early Sweltering Heat, "Buzz Buzz"... 'Mosquito Activity Index' Hits Highest for 2nd Week

Level 4 Corresponds to 100... 1.5 Times Last Year
Spring Rain Raises Temperature, Creating Conditions for Mosquito Habitats

The number of mosquitoes is increasing significantly due to the early heat wave.

According to the Seoul Mosquito Forecast System, the average mosquito activity index in Seoul has recorded the highest value of 100 for two consecutive weeks from the 2nd to the 15th. The average during the same period last year (June 2?14) was 65.6. This year, the figure has increased by about 1.5 times.

Seoul calculates the mosquito activity index by comparing data monitored since 2005, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and the number of mosquitoes collected by daily mosquito monitoring devices (DMS) installed in all 25 autonomous districts of Seoul. A score of 100 corresponds to Level 4 (unpleasant), the highest stage in the mosquito forecast system.

Level 4 indicates that mosquito larval habitats are formed in 50?100% of outdoor areas. In densely populated single-family housing areas, this means 5 to 10 mosquitoes can enter a house overnight. Seoul explained, "If you stay still outdoors for more than 10 to 15 minutes at night, you can be bitten by more than 5 mosquitoes."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, autonomous districts are also intensifying their pest control efforts. Jongno-gu supports mosquito control agents for small-scale housing such as single-family, multi-family, and multiplex houses that are difficult to disinfect independently until September. They operate a cooperative system with septic tank cleaning contractors and run a pest control task force. Pest control applications can be made to the Medical Department of the Jongno-gu Public Health Center.

Gangdong-gu conducts fogging pest control for adult mosquitoes during the summer season (May to October). During the winter season (November to April), they operate a pest control system by spraying larvicides in larval habitats such as sewers around apartment complexes.

Gangnam-gu is the first autonomous district in Seoul to use drones for mosquito control. To effectively control areas difficult for vehicles and people to access, drones have been introduced to spray chemicals twice a week in rivers and parks until October.

Yeongdeungpo-gu started operating 279 eco-friendly insect-attracting insecticides, 25 digital mosquito measuring devices, and 3 ultraviolet lamps in parks and retention basins since last month. The mosquito control team conducts insecticide spraying and disinfection activities in vulnerable areas such as riversides and parks.

Yongsan-gu operates about 50 electric insect killers, increasing the number by 22 locations.

Professor Kim Dong-geon of Samyook University, who has been in charge of Seoul’s mosquito forecast since last year, explained, "Unlike last year, heavy rains fell from early spring, and temperatures have remained high, creating conditions for mosquitoes to inhabit water puddles early on. Due to the high temperatures, larvae are growing rapidly, increasing the number of adult mosquitoes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.