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cover of episode Does It Feel Like Mosquitoes Are Getting Worse?

Does It Feel Like Mosquitoes Are Getting Worse?

2025/6/24
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People
A
Abby Krishstar
D
Doug Bidlack
E
Emily Kwong
H
Hannah Chin
J
Julian Hillier
R
Rebecca de Jesus Crespo
V
Vivian Tseng
Topics
Emily Kwong: 我过去在波士顿郊区深受蚊虫困扰，但搬到市区后蚊虫消失了，然而大约五年前，蚊虫又重新出现，这让我感到非常困惑。蚊子不仅仅是令人讨厌的东西，它们还是一个公共健康问题，因为它们是多种疾病的传播媒介，对人类健康构成威胁。因此，我们需要认真对待蚊虫问题，并采取有效的措施来控制蚊虫数量，保护自己和家人的健康。 Abby Krishstar: 近年来，在剑桥的后院越来越难待，去年甚至无法待在外面，我想知道为什么15年前剑桥和萨默维尔没有蚊子，现在却到处都是，发生了什么变化。我非常希望能够找到解决蚊虫问题的办法，以便能够重新享受在后院的休闲时光。 Hannah Chin: 疾控中心认为蚊子是世界上最致命的动物，部分原因是它们是许多疾病的传播媒介。影响剑桥蚊子数量和导致蚊子数量激增的因素，也在改变疾病的潜伏和传播方式，这可能会改变科学研究的格局。我们需要深入研究蚊虫问题，了解其背后的原因，并采取有针对性的措施来控制蚊虫数量，保护公众健康。 Doug Bidlack: 自我来到东米德尔塞克斯蚊虫控制项目以来，蚊子总数一直在上升。蚊子数量的增加与当地天气的一些变化有关，所有这些天气变化都与气候变化有关。在马萨诸塞州地区有超过50种不同的蚊子，亚洲虎蚊在较热的温度下生长良好，因此它们一直在繁荣。天气变得更暖和、更潮湿，但也变得更不稳定、更不可预测。马萨诸塞州的蚊子总体数量在增加。 Rebecca de Jesus Crespo: 这些天气模式是一个很好的指标，表明总体而言，在这些地区，蚊子可能正在蓬勃发展。如果某些地方越来越接近蚊子茁壮成长的理想条件，并且这些条件在时间上扩大，那么蚊子存在的时间就会更长。我们需要密切关注天气变化，并采取相应的措施来控制蚊虫数量，保护公众健康。 Julian Hillier: 蚊子的目标与其他动物的目标基本相同，它们需要传递自己的基因物质。雌性蚊子需要产卵，而产卵需要大量的营养。雌性蚊子吸血是为了获得产卵所需的营养，以便将它们的基因物质传递给下一代。雌性蚊子在吸血时，会摄入血液中的任何东西，包括病原体，从而将病原体传播给其他动物。气候变化也会影响病原体，因为气温升高会改变微生物在蚊子体内的潜伏方式。气候变化也会导致蚊子的自然栖息地发生变化，这将影响它们传播的病原体。 Vivian Tseng: 风险级别可以帮助居民决定何时外出或何时待在室内。黄昏到黎明是许多蚊子叮咬的高峰期。随着风险的增加，考虑重新安排在傍晚或清晨进行的户外活动。如果人们必须在外面工作或玩耍，他们可以尝试穿长袖和长裤，并使用好的驱蚊剂。含有DEET的驱蚊剂是最有效的。百灭宁喷雾可以喷在衣服上以驱赶昆虫。

Deep Dive

Chapters
A listener from Cambridge, Massachusetts, noticed a dramatic increase in mosquito populations in recent years after a period with almost no mosquitoes. This chapter explores the listener's personal experience and sets the stage for investigating the underlying causes.
  • Significant increase in mosquitoes in Cambridge, MA after a period of almost none.
  • Listener's experience of being severely bitten.
  • The mystery of the sudden surge in mosquito population.

Shownotes Transcript

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet, and some of them may be on the rise. At least in listener Abigail Krich-Starr's area, that's due to warmer, wetter weather — which, yes, is linked to climate change. But it doesn't stop there: Ecologists and entomologists say increased heat could also alter mosquito behavior, shift their natural habitat, and even change how pathogens incubate and spread inside their bodies.So how do you protect yourself against the (mosquito) masses? Our experts suggested several things:- Assess your risk by checking local mosquito surveillance efforts, like this one for the state of Massachusetts)- Consider rescheduling outdoor events happening between dusk and dawn, which is peak biting time for multiple mosquito species- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, weather-permitting, to limit exposed skin- Use an EPA-approved DEET repellent, and/or a permethrin )spray for clothing and outdoor gear****This episode is part of Nature Quest, a monthly Short Wave segment that answers listener questions about the local environment.**Got a question about changes in your local environment? Send a voice memo to [email protected]) with your name, where you live and your question. We might make it into our next Nature Quest episode! *Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)