Council to target mozzies as summer heats up

Council is preparing for a busy mosquito season with fogging treatments to start around Mango Hill, Griffin and North Lakes.

Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says intermittent rainfall, followed by periods of dry weather, means the number of mozzie swarms will increase without intervention.

“For the past 18 months, our weather conditions have resulted in fewer mosquitoes, which has been great for our residents. Unfortunately, our luck won’t last and we’re already seeing a higher visibility of these pests,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Our teams are highly trained and prepared to take the fight to the mozzies. They’ve been actively patrolling areas known to be breeding grounds for both saltwater and freshwater mozzies, treating the areas as soon as it’s needed.

“Currently, the focus has been on freshwater mosquitoes – but with every high tide, our team is prepared to launch aerial treatments across saltmarsh areas.

“Beyond taking to the skies, we’ve been installing light traps each week, starting barrier treatments around the Griffin and Mango Hill areas, and preparing fogging treatments in highly populated areas around Mango Hill, Griffin and North Lakes.

“It's a matter of resident health. We take a proactive, aggressive approach to mosquito management, because the risk of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Ross River and Barmah Forest virus is always there.”

Mosquitoes are mostly active in South East Queensland during the warmer months from September to April.

For more information, visit City of Moreton Bay’s mosquito management website.

How you can help

Residents are encouraged to take precautions as well to protect themselves and their properties.

“We can’t be everywhere all of the time, so we’re asking residents to help fight mozzie outbreaks by emptying pooling or stagnate water and monitoring their yards for potential breeding grounds,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Things like pot plants, your pet’s water bowl and anything that holds water can turn into a breeding ground. Be vigilant.”

Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and drive down mosquito numbers:

• The best and easiest defence is to wear mozzie repellent, especially in the late afternoon and evening.

• Check containers around the backyard and all outdoor areas, such as plant saucers, buckets, pet bowls and even large palm fronds. Empty them regularly; anything unattended for five days can become a breeding ground.

• Place a fan with the air blowing away from you if you are entertaining outdoors—mozzies don’t like flying into the air current.

• Local hardware stores have barrier sprays (active ingredient BiFenthrin). These products are used as a barrier treatment and can be effective in reducing adult mosquito numbers for up to 6 weeks.