Herm campers advised to bring mosquito precautions

Herm is advising visitors to bring insect repellent and to cover up after dusk, following anecdotal reports of high mosquito activity in the island.

The island welcomes thousands of visitors each year, with those staying using accommodation or camping in tents.

The States of Guernsey said any potential increase in mosquito activity could be linked to seasonal conditions and bites did not pose a risk of disease transmission in the bailiwick.

UK-based entomologist Richard Jones said the warm June weather may have allowed the mosquitos to complete their life cycle more quickly, meaning there was an increase in insects earlier than expected.

He said: "Their metabolism has increased as it's got warmer.

"So generation times are sped up - and so it's quite likely that mosquitos that people...more associate with late summer, they've managed to feed up as larvae quicker than normal because the temperature has been higher."

He added that calm weather created the perfect way for them to find their victims.

"They first of all look for dark silhouettes... the next thing they hone in for is the carbon dioxide that you breathe out, and to a certain extent the certain volatile chemicals that you give off from your skin," he said.

"In very still weather, effectively they can smell their way straight to you."

Jones advised the main two defences against bites were using a chemical repellent, and creating a physical barrier, such as closing windows or using a mosquito net over your camp bed.

A spokesperson for Herm Island said it would continue advising visitors to take precautions during "periods of increased mosquito activity".

"As Herm is a largely natural environment, it is unfortunately not possible to eliminate mosquitoes entirely," they said.

"We believe that ensuring visitors are well informed about preventative measures helps to minimise any issues and allows guests to continue enjoying all that the island has to offer."

The States said: "At present there is no evidence of local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria or dengue, in the bailiwick... so the overall public health risk remains low.

"Mosquitoes are a normal part of summer in places like Herm, and the recent increase is most likely linked to seasonal conditions."

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