‘Don’t kill mosquitoes, they need blood to feed their kids’ – Animal-rights activist says

An animal-rights activist is urging people not to kill mosquitoes, but instead to let the insects bite them.

Aymeric Caron, who is also a French TV presenter, says the insects suck human blood to obtain protein for their eggs and should not be swatted in the prcoess.

He said that killing mosquitoes is “embarrassing for anti-specists who realise they are being attacked by a mother trying to nourish her children,” according to the Independent .

Anti-specists are people who argue that all species should be treated equally.

Mr Caron, who describes himself as an anti-specist, says he always allows himself to be bitten by mosquitoes, except in Africa, where there is a risk of catching malaria.

In a video, he said: “One can consider that a blood donation from time to time to an insect who is only trying to nourish her children is not a drama.”

But British animal protection workers have said his comments are “a step too far” and “an unhelpful distraction”.

Caron also said it was better to use natural mosquito repellents like citronella, lavender oil or garlic, to wash regularly and avoid using perfumes.