The LEADER Project
28 Mosquito Repellent Stations
In an effort to reduce the nuisance of mosquitoes for our guests, the Sunêlia l'Hippocampe campsite is equipped with 28 mosquito repellent stations.
The Sunêlia l'Hippocampe campsite is located in the heart of the Escale reservoir, an artificial lake measuring 200 hectares. This artificial wetland has created a real reservoir of diversity for both fauna and flora. This reservoir is called the "Haute Provence ornithological reserve". Today, the reserve is home to 140 species of birds.
The Sunêlia l'Hippocampe campsite is part of an innovative ecotourism project, encouraging the development of environmentally friendly tourism and improving the quality of life for both locals and tourists alike.
However, this commitment to developing tourism and protecting the environment was disrupted by the presence of mosquitoes, which caused a lot of inconvenience.
The goal was therefore to reduce the nuisance caused by mosquitoes while limiting the environmental and health risks.
To meet this objective, l’Hippocampe was equipped with 28 mosquito repellent stations in 2017, built by the company Qista.
Mosquito repellent stations: an eco-responsible solution
The installation of the posts is part of the search for natural anti-mosquito alternatives. This project avoids the aerial spraying of biocide.
Only the female mosquitoes around the areas are attracted to the posts. Male mosquitoes and other insect species (bees, butterflies, ladybirds, etc.) are not affected by the traps and continue to play their role in the preservation of biodiversity.
What are the results?
As soon as the 28 mosquito posts were installed in 2017, the campsite commissioned the research institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands "la Tour du Valat" to evaluate the effectiveness of the mosquito posts. Based on tests carried out at 6 different locations; 3 locations with mosquito control on l'Hippocampe campsite and 3 locations not with mosquito control in the municipality of Château Arnoux at Les Salettes, the scientists observed a reduction in nuisance of 85% in the area protected by the traps.
In addition, the customers' experience has clearly improved.
A sociological study was carried out by the Sunêlia l'Hippocampe campsite in June 2018. A questionnaire on the evaluation of the anti-mosquito posts was given to guests. The results of the 106 responses were:
* 71.8% were satisfied with the presence of this device
* 99% were not bothered by the presence of the traps
* 97.9% were in favour of continuing the mosquito repellent method
A project supported by the EU
This project was made possible by the LEADER programme supported by the EU. It is a scientific and technical experiment with a significant investment; the LEADER programme contributed to the funding of this operation. The results are very encouraging.
The project supports the development of a rural area and the l'Hippocampe campsite, which promotes Haute Provence to the French and foreign public.
More information on the LEADER programme can be found at:
https://europe.maregionsud.fr/leurope-sengage-en-provence-alpes-cote-dazur-accueil/
