Help give mosquitoes the flick this summer
Council is urging residents to help put the bite on mosquitoes following recent heavy rain.
Noosa Council Waste and Environmental Health Manager Wayne Schafer said the wet weather and hot temperatures made for ideal breeding conditions.
While Council treated known local mosquito breeding sites, such as tidal areas and swamps, residents could help put the brakes on mosquitoes by removing fresh and stagnant water from their yards.
“Some mosquitoes breed efficiently after rainfall, especially the common banded mosquito (Culex annulirostris), the most common in south east Queensland,” Mr Schafer says.
“This mosquito breeds in shallow freshwater pools as well as in grassy drains and depressions in rural areas or suburbs with open space, which includes most of Noosa Shire. These mosquitoes are known to carry diseases which can be transmitted to humans and pets.”
Mosquitoes will breed in almost any site or container holding water, in most locations including in backyards. Places they breed include:
- Unused tyres
- Bromeliad plants
- Water features
- Ditches
- Gutters
- Car bodies
- Ponds
- Neglected swimming pools
- Bird baths
- Unscreened rainwater tanks or tanks with damaged screens
- Buckets and containers
- Blocked roof gutters
- Boats
- Pot plant bases
- Drains
Mr Schafer urged all residents to regularly flush out ponds and bird baths and remove areas where stagnant water could collect to eliminate breeding sites. He also urged the use of repellents, light clothing to cover arms and legs, and keeping screen doors and windows closed.
Council began its annual aerial treatment of salt marsh breeding sites focusing on species that transmit Ross River and Barmah Forest Fever on February 1 across the Noosa Shire, to reduce mosquito larval populations following the recent heavy rain.
For more information about mosquitoes, visit the Queensland Health website.
1 February 2016