No air conditioning is fine. For places like Switzerland or Northern Italy where they can definitely afford it, it's obviously a deliberate choice and I respect that. But why, why, why would bug screens then not be on windows by default?
Maybe because the way our windows tend to open? Most windows in Europe either open like doors, or they tilt. Most countries here don't have those sliding sash windows that are so common over there, where I think it's easier to have bug screens attached.
To be fair, speaking as an American who lives in Europe, we have way more bugs than most European countries. And more that you really wouldn’t want inside.
We don't really have that many bugs? Moths sometimes, but tbh they get in anyway so I don't think it would make much difference. Flying Ant Day can be a bit ghastly but otherwise there aren't enough bugs to bother.
Also quite a lot of our windows predate the invention of modern bug screens, so it would be quite difficult to retrofit them and would spoil the look. We have lovely old single-glazed sash windows, and while I'd love to have some sort of screening to have windows open but contain the cats, I don't think there's a way to do it attractively.
I lived in a very old building in Italy that for sure predated electricity and plumbing and yet it had both. I think it would be a fairly minor engineering challenge to have windows with bug screens. They make sliding ones and screens that snap on and off, if the sliding ones aren't aesthetically pleasing. I now live in a modern high rise in Switzerland with very modern window sills and still no screens and tons of bugs that fly in every day. I'm definitely not convinced that it's just the age of the buildings.
I lived in Bologna and don't remember ever seeing an air conditioner. I did see tons and tons of spiders in my room every morning though in the summer when I slept with the window open.
It's a far right propaganda talking point. They are constantly pushing the narrative that the EU has no air con, doesn't serve you water or ice in restaurants etc, etc. A common statement is that there were more deaths in EU from the lack of AC than gun deaths in the US (False). In actual fact this summer in Europe was the hottest on record since records began. Europe is the fastest warming continent on the planet by a large margin and it's fully due to the climate crisis. Those European countries at higher latitudes simply never had a need for AC until this summer. Furthermore in the EU recorded heat related deaths include death by misadventure (e.g. swimming in a quarry to cool off and then drowning), deaths of outdoor workers such as road construction workers succumbing to heat stroke, hikers, the elderly that were incapable of taking countermeasures etc. In short, often those well away from their homes. But the idea is to paint a picture that Europoors are mismanaging basic infrastructure, can't afford AC etc.
Meanwhile in the US seemingly without any irony, the AC is cranked up to the max and the climate crisis worsens. But "durr hurr, it's not me, my V8 and my AC that's causing it, look CHINA". BTW, China is THE global leader per capita in the transition to renewable energy. One of reasons this current Trump inflicted oil crisis isn't worse is because China has reduced it demand for oil as a result of it's rapid transition to green energy.
I have no idea what their agenda is but it is very Anti-Europe and seems to be pushing for us to crank up the AC too. It's a definite propaganda bot farm or something. We Europoors couldn't get enough of Ranch dressing during the World Cup remember? Mmmm Ranch that sophisticated, exotic cuisine that we just don't have in Europe. If only we could have AC, water, ice and ranch.
Where I live we don't have screens on doors and windows because we don't need them. I live in London, and in the summer I'll leave my windows and back door open all day, and in to the evening, and at most one or two small flies might come in. There just aren't enough bugs to make it a problem.
We struggled with this a little too, and I get bit like crazy! Plus the bites took way longer to go away. Our Airbnb had fans which I used to keep air flowing to push out mosquitoes. I also shut windows in our room at dusk and after sunset if we were gonna have lights that would attract them. Once we went to bed with lights off, windows were cracked and the mosquitoes left us alone. It's just kinda learning a new process.
We have bug screens we put up during mosquito season, but then they are removed for fall, winter and spring. And that's like only for places with lots of mosquitos. It's not like bugs are a big problem in like cities and such.
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u/OmegaTheta 3h ago
No air conditioning is fine. For places like Switzerland or Northern Italy where they can definitely afford it, it's obviously a deliberate choice and I respect that. But why, why, why would bug screens then not be on windows by default?