Mozzie season ramping up

Mosquito breeding season in the Moreton Bay Region has been off to a slow start, despite higher than average rainfall in recent months.

But Mayor Peter Flannery says Council crews are starting to see more mosquitos during weekly monitoring of traps.

“The start of this year’s mosquito breeding season, from September to April, has been unusually quiet, but we are currently seeing increasing freshwater mosquito numbers in our traps,” he says.

“The team are out now in freshwater areas where water usually pools, using a fogging treatment which is site specific.

He says saltmarsh mosquito breeding areas are also being monitored but are yet to show significant numbers of larvae.

Mayor Flannery says Council’s management program treats mosquitoes to keep their numbers as low as possible, with regular monitoring allowing treatment teams to proactively respond to outbreaks.

“We’re the only Council in Southeast Queensland that isn’t signed up to the shared helicopter arrangement for spraying - we contract our own.

“We can have helicopters in the sky on demand to proactively respond and try to prevent some of the ‘mosquito clouds’ you see in other low-lying and mangrove areas of Southeast Queensland.”

He says the program’s success is dependent on environmental factors including favourable tides, wind conditions and rain, and often coincides with treatments occurring in neighbouring local government areas.

How you can help

Residents can also play a role in keeping a lid on mosquito numbers by ensuring water is not pooling around their properties, Mayor Flannery says.

“Rainwater tanks can provide ideal conditions for mosquitoes and midges to breed.

“A gap the size of a matchstick head is enough to let mosquitoes into a tank to lay their eggs.

“Where possible, gaps should be covered with mosquito-proof screen or netting.”

Reduce mosquito numbers by:

• Emptying containers that could contain rainwater such plant saucers, tyres, buckets, and clearing blocked gutters
• Regularly changing water in bird baths and pet bowls
• Keeping swimming pools chlorinated
• Creating a frog-friendly garden
• Stocking ornamental ponds and water features with fish
• Considering using products available from hardware outlets that help reduce adult mosquito numbers

You can even lodge a request with Council to give feedback about mosquitos in your area here.