Korea’s Mosquitoes Still Problem Despite Chilly Weather

Korea’s Mosquitoes Still Problem Despite Chilly Weather. October. 13, 2007 07:03. kimkihy@donga.com esprit@donga.com.

Mosquitoes are still a problem these days, despite, the Korean proverb that says mosquitoes go away after August 23 of lunar calendar.

The mosquito menace has continued even in the recent chilly whether. Kim Hyeong-su, who has been in charge of preventive measures against mosquitoes for 20 years in Seocho-gu, said, “The saying that mosquitoes are not active in cold weather is not necessarily correct these days. Mosquitoes in cities can survive regardless of season now.”

The number of civil mosquito infestation complaints in Seocho district has increased to 240 as of September this year, doubled from 101 of last year.

With the damage caused by mosquitoes increasing, sales of mosquito repellents are spiking. Lotte Mart announced that sales of mosquito repellents for ten days earlier this month increased by 53.6% over the same period last year. Moreover, a section manager for GS E-shop, an online shopping mall, said, “We have sold mosquito-related products throughout the year since 2005.” Residents who live in downtown or Gangnam area, one of the most affluent areas of Seoul, cannot escape from mosquitoes.”

Mosquitoes multiply in apartment water-purifier tanks, and old apartments have perfect conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes due to their abundance of trees and plants.

When taking refuge in water-purifier tanks atop apartment buildings, mosquitoes can survive sub-zero temperatures in winter. Furthermore, increasing number of mosquitoes can survive winter by living in a warm building.

Mosquitoes can be found in skyscraper elevator and ventilation shafts as well. As the number of civil complaints of mosquitoes increases, local governments are also feeling the pressure. Some areas like Seocho are developing alternative, to combat mosquitoes by using enemy of mosquitoes such as loaches.

Some experts say that due to global warming, the climate in Korea has turned much more warm and moist. Accordingly, some point out that the risk at mosquito-borne diseases like malaria could be higher than before. Yang Yeong-cheol, a professor for insect studies at Seoul Health College says, “The extra summer and autumn rain provided good conditions for mosquitoes.”