There lots of these really awful mosquitoes in Italy last year - everywhere. They are not like the ordinary mosquitoes. These are about day and night and can eat through your clothes and shoes and are dangerous. I haven't written on this subject lightly. They are not fun at all. We were really glad to come home to England away from mosquitoes and heat. Just to be able to sit in the garden under the trees and not be eaten alive, and to sleep in cool bedrooms with our windows open. I really thank God every single day for that. The problem is that sooner or later they will reach our shores (probably in tyres with water in them).
Fear not the man who bears the sword
Or he who comes from space,
For the one to fear is watching
From her secret hiding place.
This hostile foe awaits you –
And she knows your every move.
With cunning stealth she’ll strike you
And your blood she will remove.
Her tiger stripes mean trouble
And your blood is what she takes.
It’s this that helps produce her eggs,
And she never makes mistakes.
She’ll quietly do her wicked deeds
Whilst you are unaware.
Be always on your guard therefore.
Protect yourself with care.
Spray repellent on your clothing
Spray repellent on your skin –
Don’t leave your water sitting out
In jugs, or bowls or tins.
Please don’t forget your animals –
Their blood is tasty too.
Mosquitoes, creatures hated most,
Have got their eyes on you.
Copyright 2008.|
Written by Livinginanattic (454 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
| Seems like good advice. The line 'And she knows your every move' sounds very sinister. |
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
| Thank you. We found that these evil things hid themselves on dark things. They would not come down when they thought you were watching, but when you were busy doing something. down they would come. It was awful at night when you turned out the light. They hid until then. We were in a really hot room, couldn't open the window and even suffocating under the sheet didn't work. You couldn't sleep for it. I came home nearly dead with spots all over me. I absolutely dread them coming here. They arrived in Cheltenham last summer but were spotted in time. They are a real danger for they carry awful disease. In Venice it was absolutely awful beyond words. Has anyone discovered them anywhere else in Europe? I believe they are well established in parts of America. |
Written by Veronica_Milvus (458 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
| I liked this, Josie, very well crafted. The first two lines were my favourites. |
Excellent!
Written by Katanga (727 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
You've done it again Josie! Whoooooer!
Cheers!
John
Ps I am about to post a poor limerick in response! Ha! |
Written by Livinginanattic (454 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
| This sounds like the Asian Tiger mosquito, Josie. According to Wikipedia it has been found in 12 European countries including Spain, Switzerland and Germany. |
Written by Phil (6393 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
Nasty little blighters. Odd how some don't seem to get bitten - or at least don't react to the bites. I've shared a flat in Athens with a friend. He sprayed repellent, burned coils, used a plug in thingumy - he was bitten all over. I had a separate bedroom, used nothing - and left the window open and didn't have a single bite. Mind - he was a fat lad. Do you think it makes a difference?
Phil |
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
| Goodness! All these poems about insects seems to get Katanga all steamed up! Look at him! Whatever next is he going to do? To Livinginanattic: My friends in Italy said they arrived 3 years ago. We had lots of holidays there for many years and nothing. We've been to Lake Como many many times and nothing, but friends there say it is awful now. They arrived, so I was told, in water in the bottom of car tyres brought in from Asia. Yes, Phil, you are quite right. It is very strange indeed. I've often thought that if they could inject people with something that would kill the mosquito when they sucked your blood, then that would be the end of them. It would be great for African countries where they spread malaria so much. Come on scientists! What has the mosquito done for us? |
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 12th May 2008 |
Stories I heard about terribly annoying insects mainly came from Surinam, Thailand and... Lapland. Probably different species, as I can't see much of a connection between the tropical rain forest and the Scandinavian tundra, but apparently one doesn't need to have a tropical climate to have a plague of biting mini beasts around.
For now though, the media over here prefer to scare us with horror stories of ticks and processionally caterpillars.
|
Written by mr_soul (80 comments posted) 13th May 2008 |
Great poem Josie and an interesting subject as well, something I studied not long ago in Geography. Malaria sickenly kills millions in Afica. I studied the ways which efforts were made to both stop the mosquito and prevent the virus which the mosquitoes carried. There doesn't seem any easy answer, everything they've tried hasn't been totally successful, and often have deadly side affects.
Perhaps if Africa was a continent full of wealthy people, maybe then the scientists would be more interested in it. But some of them seem more determined to produce "obesity pills" and the like, rather than tackle worthwhile causes, purely for profit.
Anyway, nice poem Josie, you made clear how important and dangerous these mosquitoes can be. Let's hope they can find ways soon to get rid of them. |
Thank you
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 13th May 2008 |
| These are all things which could be discussed in a group of older people, and I hope the poem could fit into a lesson. I don't write all my poems for 5 and 6 year olds. The word "children" covers a huge area. I do hope teachers will use it. Thank you, everyone, for your good reviews. Much appreciated. |
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