The buzzing of flying, blood sucking, insectile vampires is all too common at present.
Ongoing wet weather, combined with the natural tropical climate, extensive areas of rainforest, mangroves and swamps, and plenty of places for water sit and stagnant, has resulted in favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
More than 40 commonly encountered mosquito species can be found in Queensland, and many of these are carriers of diseases such as Dengue and Ross River.
Some mosquito borne diseases are endemic to the Cairns region and others can be easily introduced by infected visitors who travel to the region from countries where the diseases occur.
While there are no practical measures that offer complete control of mosquito populations, there are measures that residents can take to reduce pest numbers in the short term.
Mosquitoes need water to breed.
Residents can therefore play an important role in reducing mosquitoes by preventing water from pooling in their homes and yards.
This includes:
- Empty standing water out of old tyres, buckets, plastic covers, toys, pet drinking bowls, bird baths, pot plant trays or any other container where “wrigglers” live in the house or garden
- Drill holes in tyres used for swings and garden surrounds to allow water to drain from them
- Drain or fill temporary pools and tree hollows with dirt or sand
- Keep rain gutters unclogged
- More tips can be found on Council’s website.
Council’s Vector Control Unit works to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes and undertakes actions on Council-controlled land.
This includes the application of non-toxic films on water surfaces to kill larvae, growth regulator use in breeding areas, and mist fogging of adult mosquitoes in appropriate areas.
Council does not fog private property, but may treat breeding sites on private property with larvicides as a temporary remedy to provide initial assistance.
Council does not conduct mosquito management on areas of state-controlled land, this includes areas of mosquito breeding that are dominated by mangrove vegetation on the coastal strip.
Fogging cannot occur adjacent or over water, Council will not fog drains, creeks and waterways.
Residents can protect themselves when they go outdoors by wearing light coloured clothing, cover up with long sleeves/long pants and wear insect repellents. The peak biting periods for mosquitoes are dawn and dusk.
If you are experiencing a large number of mosquitoes, and the tips above don’t help, you can contact Council and we will investigate.
Residents can lodge a mosquito complaint by calling Council on 1300 69 22 47, using the Report a Problem online form, or the Report a Problem feature in the My Cairns app.
