Do you recall the well-known TV series Les brigades du tigre, which aired in the 1980s? In Illkirch, the Tiger Brigade, comprising the duo Milihan and Quentin, both temporary agents, are not chasing down bandits but rather mosquitoes.
Their sole commonality with the police unit established in 1907 at the behest of Georges Clemenceau (nicknamed “the tiger”) is their mobility. Their tools? Precisely that—mobility (the pair goes door-to-door), along with dialogue and persuasion. Milihan is currently in his second year studying “Life and Earth Sciences” at the University of Strasbourg.
Alongside him, Quentin, who is seeking employment, jumped at the job opportunity offered by the Illkirch town hall, describing it as “a meaningful job that provides a new professional experience.” This Wednesday, July 7, the duo is ringing doorbells in the residential area of rue des Lilas.
Crucial Preventive Actions
Claude, 85, opens his door. Friendly and approachable, he listens attentively to Milihan and Quentin. “I regularly empty and clean my flowerpots,” he states, while also acknowledging that he has a water reserve in a barrel near the hand pump in his garden. “Can we take a look?” asks Milihan. Claude cheerfully shows the tiger brigade around his garden, and to their surprise, they discover a myriad of mosquitoes and larvae swimming in the barrel filled with water (even though it has a lid). “Often, water tanks, even when covered, are not completely sealed. It’s best to cover them with a mosquito net,” explains Milihan, noting that “80% of larval breeding sites are found on private property.”
Since mosquitoes typically travel within a radius of 150 meters from their birthplace, it helps to understand the significance of preventive actions taken by everyone.
A System in Place Until September 21
Anny and Jean-Claude, neighbors of Claude, are also vigilant. In the well-maintained vegetable garden, where Jean-Claude has safeguarded his tomato plants from mildew, there is no sign of stagnant water, not even in the rain gauge. There is, however, a basin filled with water near the hand pump (“you have to prime the pump!” exclaims Jean-Claude), but Anny insists that she regularly empties and cleans it.
“The system will be operational until September 21, but given the positive feedback, we are considering extending the experiment even into the winter months,” remarks Thibaud Philipps, the mayor of Illkirch, who accompanied the “tiger brigades” agents in the field on that Wednesday afternoon.
Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes do not migrate to warmer climates during winter. While tiger mosquito eggs can hatch within one or two days under favorable conditions, they may sometimes take much longer. As winter approaches, they can pause their development, hatching only in the spring. This temporary halt in the insect’s growth is known as diapause.
In summary, it is advisable to bring in or clean flower pots and containers one last time before the severe cold sets in, and it is wiser to rely on the tiger brigades rather than General Winter to combat mosquitoes!
Combating Mosquitoes in Illkirch: The Unique Approach of the “Tiger Brigade”
Do you remember the iconic TV series Les brigades du tigre that aired in the 1980s? In Illkirch, a modern iteration of the “Tiger Brigade” exists, comprised of a dynamic duo, Milihan and Quentin. Rather than chasing criminals, these temporary agents target a significantly smaller but equally troublesome adversary: mosquitoes.
Their only shared characteristic with the historical police unit founded in 1907 by Georges Clemenceau (nicknamed “the tiger”) is their mobility. Their “weapons”? Mobility itself, along with dialogue and persuasion. Milihan is pursuing a degree in “Life and Earth Sciences” at the University of Strasbourg, while Quentin, who is on the job hunt, seized this opportunity with the local town hall. “This job makes sense and provides a new professional experience,” Quentin affirms.
The Importance of Preventive Actions Against Mosquitoes
This Wednesday, July 7, the duo diligently rings doorbells on rue des Lilas, a cozy residential neighborhood. Claude, an amiable 85-year-old, opens his door. He engages with Milihan and Quentin and shares, “I regularly empty and clean my flower pots.” However, he admits to having a water reserve in a barrel near the hand pump in his garden.
“Can we take a look?” Milihan inquires. Claude enthusiastically leads the brigade to his garden, and to their surprise, the covered barrel is teeming with mosquitoes and larvae. Milihan explains, “Even covered tanks can often be leaky. It’s advisable to secure them with a mosquito net.” Notably, Milihan shares the critical statistic that “80% of larval breeding sites are found on private properties.”
Understanding that mosquitoes typically travel within a mere 150 meters of their birth site underscores the importance of proactive measures taken by residents.
System in Action Until September 21
Nearby, Anny and Jean-Claude also express vigilance. In their meticulously maintained vegetable garden, where Jean-Claude protects his tomatoes from mildew, there’s no stagnant water to be found, even in the rain gauge. Although there is a basin filled with water near the hand pump—”You have to prime the pump!” Jean-Claude chuckles—Anny assures, “I empty and clean it very regularly.”
Thibaud Philipps, the mayor of Illkirch, who accompanied the “Tiger Brigade” agents that afternoon, mentions, “The system is operational until September 21. However, due to the positive feedback we’ve received, we are considering continuing this initiative even into winter.” This approach has proven invaluable in the battle against mosquitoes.
Interestingly, contrary to common belief, mosquitoes do not migrate to warmer regions during winter. While tiger mosquito eggs can hatch in one to two days under favorable conditions, they might take considerably longer when temperatures drop. As winter draws near, these eggs often enter a state called diapause, halting their development until spring.
In conclusion, as winter approaches, it’s wise to bring in or thoroughly clean flower pots and containers one last time. It’s better to trust the initiatives of the Tiger Brigade than to rely solely on General Winter to control the mosquito population!
Benefits of Engaging the Tiger Brigade Approach
- Proactive Community Engagement: The program fosters community spirit and encourages residents to take ownership of their environment.
- Educational Impact: The Tiger Brigade agents educate residents about mosquito breeding and prevention techniques.
- Environmental Health: Reducing mosquito populations helps prevent the spread of diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.
Practical Tips for Residents
How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding at Home
- Eliminate Standing Water: Regularly empty containers, bird baths, and gutters to prevent water accumulation.
- Use Mosquito Nets: Cover large water containers and barrels with mosquito nets to prevent breeding.
- Maintain Your Garden: Clean flower pots and ensure proper drainage to avoid stagnant water.
Case Studies: Effective Community Involvement
| Resident | Action Taken | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | Cleaned water barrel weekly | Reduced mosquito breeding sites |
| Anny & Jean-Claude | Regularly emptied drainage basins | Maintained a mosquito-free garden |
First-Hand Experiences with the Tiger Brigade
Residents have shared positive experiences with the Tiger Brigade. Many appreciate the knowledge and helpfulness of the agents, noting that their visits encourage a greater awareness of home and garden maintenance.
Milihan shares, “Some residents had no idea about how quickly mosquito larvae can develop. Knowledge is power in this fight!” Quentin adds, “Seeing the immediate response from the community feels rewarding. We’re all in this together.”
How You Can Get Involved
Illkirch residents looking to join the fight against mosquitoes can:
- Participate in informational sessions held by the Tiger Brigade.
- Engage in neighborhood clean-up days focused on eliminating stagnant water sources.
- Spread awareness through social media about the importance of mosquito prevention.
The Future of the Tiger Brigade in Illkirch
As the summer progresses and the community receives encouraging feedback, the prospect of extending the Tiger Brigade’s initiative into winter becomes more probable. The citizens of Illkirch are eager to continue this partnership for a healthier living environment.
In summary, while Illkirch’s “Tiger Brigade” might not resemble the legendary police unit in its hunt for outlaws, it is certainly doing its part to fight a modern threat— mosquitoes. By combining community action with education, they are paving the way for a safer and healthier future for all residents.
