Mosquitos in Amsterdam
 

The internet is flush with tales of the mosquitos in Amsterdam, particularly near the canals. We are contemplating renting a houseboat the last week in October. Can anyone speak to that issue for that time of year?

Much obliged...bdj

I have been going to Amsterdam for many years and often sit and picnic by the canals - I do not remember any mosquitoes ever so if so that is a very recent trend within the last year.

Ignore those rumors as IME they are just not true.

I mean I have sat a collective zillions of hours by canals and never seen a mosquito!

Now, this is many years ago, but I brought my boat up to Amsterdam in late Summer from the Med, and stayed through the Winter. I do not recall any mosquito problem anywhere on the journey. We did another trip on the upper Saone in September a few years ago, and had no issue with the critters. My Wife is sensitive to their bites, and I surely would have heard about it (loudly) if it had been an issue.

I suppose one could have a problem if you moored near stagnant water, but the actual canals of Amsterdam are regularly flushed to keep them (relatively) fresh, which should minimize that problem. I cannot believe that the residents of Amsterdam would tolerate being plagued by the creatures.

I haven't noticed a mosquito problem, and by October most mozzies will be dead or hibernating or whatever they do.
The canals aren't stagnant, and mosquitoes need standing water to breed.
I wouldn't worry about it.

Never remember seeing or feeling a mosquito in that city and I've been at all times of the year, too.

<i> Mosquitos in Amsterdam
Posted by: bdj on Apr 13, 14 at 12:48pm </i>

On your other identical post find my identical reply
"Never saw a mosquito in several years of living in Haarlem. At that time of the year you probably wouldn't even see one in southern France."

Been to Amsterdam a fair number of times at all times of year and never encountered a mosquito.

I agree that mosquitos are unlikely to be a problem in late October but this anecdotal evidence from tourists is --- never mind.

There are mosquitos in summer in Amsterdam. Plenty.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=768587

http://www.asthebirdfliesblog.com/20...l#.U0r3OBys-zl

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Province.html

And this from a Netherlands-based website:

Tips
The humidity during the months of July and August turns Amsterdam into an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Pharmacies and some drug stores carry a mosquitoes repellent by the unlikely name of ‘Muggenmelk’ (literally, mosquitoes milk). Those whose blood is favored by the tiny pests swear that Muggenmelk provides the best defense.

http://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/1971-am...ther-in-august

And here is a review of a hotel on the canals in Amsterdam:

"Our room was in the basement and had only one small window approx 18" x 18" without a screen. The window was open when we arrived, but the room was full of mosquitos so we closed it. The room was warm and there was no air conditioning and we couldn't open the window, so the night was pretty miserable. I actually slept on the bathroom floor because it was cooler and there were less mosquitos. There were smashed mosquitos all over the walls, so the staff obviously knew that this was an issue. On the positive side, the staff was very helpful and friendly and the location was very good."

There are mosquitos in summer in Amsterdam. Plenty>

I'll take my, St-Cirq's and spaarne's and others experience of having been to Amsterdam zillions of times in summer and never seeing a mosquito - a good example of internet hype that definitely is NOYT true.

Oh, but ours is just anecdotal evidence from tourists, pal;)

bdj,

Here is another review of hotel guests in the Pulitzer, which is right on the canal.

"“Good location, terrible mosquito problem.”
Reviewed 20 April 2012
Loved the location, a block away from the Anne Frank House and all major monuments and squares. Amsterdam is truly a beautiful city and the hotel is very quaint and has lots of character. Service was good and food options were optimal. However, after our first night's stay I had at least 10 mosquito bites on my upper body, including my face, not good. My husband was attacked fiercely by the mosquitoes and his arms were badly bitten. We complained to the concierge who said they would spray something in the room but that never happened and the mosquitoes kept biting us until we managed to kill them all ourselves. They were so big there were little blood splatters on the wall whenever we got one. They need to get this issue under control, if this happens in cold weather I can't even imagine how bad it gets in the summer sitting right next to a canal.

Stayed April 2012, travelled as a couple"

Pal et al,

I am sure you would all take each other's word for anyhting. This is someone else's trip so the need better information.

whether or not there may be mosquitoes in some hotel rooms I do not know - never saw any in the flop houses I have stayed in so assume that would be a rarity - maybe standing fresh water in the back garden, etc.

Buying a Frommer's guidebook might help

http://books.google.it/books?id=Rba6...0canal&f=false

Or this, from "insider's tips" for Amsterdam

--Despite Amsterdam's northerly location, mosquitoes can be a problem in summer. Take electronic zappers and repellent.

http://www.simonseeks.com/insider-ti...terdam__165522

Review of the Bridge Hotel near several canals in Amsterdam:

"
- When the housekeeper cleans the room they would sometimes leave the balcony doors open to air out the room. Of course, Amsterdam being surrounded by canals everywhere, mosquitoes would fly into your room and make themselves at home. I've spent nights awake as tiny little mosquitoes buzzed my ear and I would box my ears trying to swat at them. I've made myself deaf on a few occasions as I missed and hit my ear. Ugh!! Bring some DEET or citronella candles in case this happens."

Balony - mosquitoes never ever were a problem the 20 summers when I spend a few weeks in Amsterdam - camping by the way right inside the city - in an area surrounded by canals.

sandralist is just being a Cassandra without any firsthand knowledge it is obvious. Ignore.

This appears to be a very serious issue for the P.S. Queen.

Regarding possible mosquito activity in October, this is from a health website for the Netherlands:

"There are 21 species of mosquito in the Netherlands and 1,200 worldwide. They are active during the summer and autumn. Given the precarious weather conditions in the Netherlands, many like nothing better than hanging out in bedrooms where they are safe from the elements, and the females have one or more passive victims to choose from during the night."