Stinging insect · Culex pipiens / Aedes albopictus · Last updated 14 August 2026
Mosquitoes
The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) now overwinters in several Belgian municipalities, including Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. It bites in broad daylight, unlike the common mosquito, and its bite is more painful.
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Mosquitoes breed in any standing water (even 5 ml). Treating larval breeding sites is more effective than adulticide treatments. For outdoor spaces, a misted biocide treatment combined with eliminating water points gives the best results.
Identify
Signs of infestation
- Bites occurring at dusk and at night (Culex pipiens) or during broad daylight in gardens (Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito)
- Comma-shaped or inverted-comma larvae visible at the surface of standing water
- A high-pitched buzz in flight near the face, especially at night
- The tiger mosquito is identifiable by white stripes on its legs and abdomen, 5 to 10 mm in size (smaller than Culex)
Where it's found
Any container of standing water is a potential breeding site: a plant pot saucer, a blocked gutter, a pool cover, a rainwater barrel, an abandoned tyre. In 10 days at 25°C, a capful of water is enough for 200 larvae. The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is establishing itself: Sciensano confirmed overwintering populations in Ath, Kessel-Lo and Puurs-Sint-Amands in 2024, then in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Wijnegem and Hoegaarden in 2025.
Impact
Associated risks
West Nile virus (Culex)
Culex pipiens is a documented vector of West Nile virus in Europe. Sciensano monitors its circulation in Belgium. Symptoms: fever, headaches; rarely encephalitis in people over 60.
Emerging diseases (tiger mosquito)
Aedes albopictus can transmit dengue and chikungunya if it first bites an infected person. No locally acquired case has been reported in Belgium to date. Report any suspected sighting on SurveillanceMoustiques.be, Sciensano's platform.
Good practice
Prevention
- 01Empty or tip over every standing-water container in the garden at least once a week
- 02Add Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to ornamental water features (100% biological, harmless to wildlife)
- 03Fit mosquito screens on bedroom windows, especially for infants
- 04Report any tiger mosquito catch on SurveillanceMoustiques.be, Sciensano's platform
Frequently asked questions
What you're asking
Does the tiger mosquito bite differently?
Yes. The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) bites in broad daylight, unlike the common mosquito which bites at dusk. Its bite is painful and causes a stronger reaction. It's recognisable by its white stripes on a black body.
How do I reduce mosquitoes in my garden?
Removing all standing water (saucers, clogged gutters, tarpaulins) eliminates the larval breeding sites. For ponds and water features, biological larvicides based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) treat effectively without harming aquatic life.
Do mosquitoes transmit diseases in Belgium?
Under normal conditions, Belgian mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) don't transmit human diseases. The tiger mosquito can transmit dengue and chikungunya if it first bites an infected traveller. No locally acquired case has been reported in Belgium to date, but the risk is no longer ruled out in the municipalities where the species is settling: controlling its presence is a preventive measure.
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