Against mosquitoes, Toulouse tests new traps with fish: a first in France

It is, with the hot weather, one of the plagues of the summer including the inhabitants of Toulouse would go well. Over the years, the city has developed several initiatives to fight against the proliferation of mosquitoes: antimoustic terminals, connected terminals, biocides in larval lodges, or even preferential rates on the purchase of laying traps for individuals. For a few days, it is a new device that has been tested in the municipal greenhouses and in the Cabade Terre cemetery Where natural laying traps, with fish, have been installed. Here’s how it works.

Poubellariums

In the small world of aquarophilia, it is called poubellariums. Either large basins which, it must be said, resemble large trash cans capable of containing 180 liters of water.

Inside, a complete ecosystem is reproduced.

” Actually, It’s just like an aquariumexplains Julien Kala, member of the Toulouse Aquario Club association who tests the project for the town hall of Toulouse. Except that there is no heating or pump for water. »»

Snail, shrimp and fish

In these large bins, there are water, sand, plants. But also snails and shrimps that will allow you to move the sand to purify it. As well as different species of fish that will have the heavy task of eating the larvae of mosquitoes from the water.

“We chose fish that support fairly hot waters,” explains Julien Kala. In winter, these species would not survive in the Garonne for example. »»

A choice that is not made at random. By selecting fish that cannot survive in a natural environment in Haute-Garonne, the Toulouse Aquario Club wants to prevent them from becoming invasive species that harm biodiversity. A scenario experienced in particular in Vendée, where the introduction of gambusies in the marshes to fight against the proliferation of mosquitoes turned to fiasco.

Each puplierum costs 200 euros

The Toulouse Aquario Club has been working on this Poubellariums project for three years and has therefore just received the support of the Toulouse town hall, which agreed to test the system.

“Nine basins were installed in the municipal greenhouses and 37 in the Terre Cabade cemetery, explains Françoise Ampoulange, a municipal councilor delegated to the animal in the city. We will take stock next year To see how it worked. Each basin costs 200 euros, included. »»

Other cities in Occitania have shown their interest

Volunteers from Toulouse Aquario Club will come on average every two to three weeks to monitor the functioning of the traps. In winter, fish will be given in aquariums or sold at reduced prices in fairs.

Toulouse is the first community to test this poubellarium system. But the Toulouse Aquario Club is already in contact with other cities in Occitania Who have shown their interest in the project and in turn consider testing these natural mosquito traps that work thanks to the fish.

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