The scene is infamous. As the Romano Fafard lands on a new planet, its crew is faced with a troubling scene: mosquitoes, flies, and biting insects of all kinds invade each millimetre and work as one to lift a deer off the ground. Charles Patenaude, the captain, then declares the planet uninhabitable and gives it the name of Abitibi II. That scene from Dans une galaxie près de chez vous finished, in 2004, sealing the legend of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which presents the region as the kingdom of bloodthirsty insects. As with all legends, there is a bit of truth, but mainly fiction. Let’s have a look at the facts.
Where does that story come from?
Obviously, you are at a higher risk of encountering mosquitoes during your trip in the region than during an afternoon of shopping in the big city. With that being said, you will also see much more nature, many more breathtaking landscapes, boreal forest as far as the eyes can see, and lakes that will entice you to swim in them. In short, the quantity of mosquitoes in Abitibi-Témiscamingue is not abnormal, it is simply coherent with the climate, the fauna and the flora whose omnipresence characterizes our territory. Getting stung a few times is a very small sacrifice to make for such a contact with nature.
Credit : Hugo Lacroix
Short guide for the love of mosquitoes
To build a healthy relationship with mosquitoes, we must first know them and understand what motivates their blood craze. First, keep in mind that those small creatures are part of an ecosystem whose balance depends in part on them. They act, among others, as food for other species, and actively participate in pollination. The females (yes, only the females, and it’s extremely badass from them) steal a little bit of our precious blood to ensure their reproduction and thus continue contributing to the growth of our environment. It’s all a big misunderstanding!
There also exist many tricks to cohabit with them without having to resort to the barbarism of squishing them instantly. First, it is recommended to wear long, bright clothes and to avoid moving too much: mosquitoes are sensitive to human heat and to the emanations of carbon dioxide that result from it. Many options of natural or chemical bug repellents can also help a little by killing the mosquitoes or keeping them away. The bug repellents that contain DEET are known to be the most effective, but must be used properly, according to the instructions.
Credit : Hugo Lacroix
Finally, even in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, mosquitoes are not around all year round, or even all summer long! Indeed, from July to October, their number decreases progressively. In August, it is then possible to look at shooting stars in perfect quietude, wrapped up in your favourite blanket. Talk about a dream come true.
In Abitibi-Témiscamingue, a young man called Tommy St-Laurent adapted so well to the bugs that live on our territory, that he made his life mission to help you discover them with a contagious passion, from the most fascinating to the most hated bug. One can wonder what bug bit him (hehe)!
