Beat the mozzies

Council is calling on residents to help combat the rise in mosquito numbers by checking our properties for breeding sites.

Councillor Bernie Robertson said it was important that property owners do not get complacent when it came to the dangers of mosquitos.

“Mosquitoes are mostly a nuisance, however, they still have the potential to carry different diseases such as Ross River or Dengue Fever.

“Even though the Wolbachia bacteria was introduced in 2016 to stop the spread of viruses such as Dengue and Zika, this is not guaranteed protection.

“Mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water, so we’re asking the community to check around their homes for anything that holds water and to tip it out.”

To assist with this process, Council will continue its inspection program that monitors public health risks associated with mosquitos in the Charters Towers Regional Council area.

“Council staff have already started inspections of creeks and public areas for potential breeding sites and to treat the area. Staff will also work with private and commercial properties to help combat mosquitoes.” Cr Robertson said.

To reduce the number of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home:

Clean up around your property by tipping out or throwing away any containers such as pot plant bases, tin cans, plastic containers, buckets, tarps, rubbish and tyres Unblock roof gutters and drains

To avoid the mosquito bites:

Wear insect repellent. Wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing and shoes. Fix mosquito screens, use flying insect spray to kill any mosquitoes in rooms, along with plug-in mozzie zappers, and use mosquito coils outdoors.

OGG 26 February 2019