Council working to control mosquito numbers around towns

Published on 09 January 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council has increased mosquito surveillance and control following major rain events that have impacted the municipality during the past two weeks.

Parts of the Gannawarra have received 200-300 millimetres of rain since Christmas Day, with stagnant water and warm weather providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes over the coming weeks.

“Council is committed to reducing the risks associated with an increase in mosquito numbers,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Whilst most mosquitoes are just a nuisance, others can carry diseases, such as Ross River Virus Disease and Japanese Encephalitis.”

Staff have started targeting known locations around population centres where mosquito numbers increase following major rain events, including roadside drains, public parks, and residential water basins. Proactive treatment to reduce mosquito breeding will be the priority. Some targeted fogging to kill adult mosquitoes on public land may also occur where this is deemed necessary to reduce the risk to public health.

“Council works closely with the Department of Health to undertake mosquito surveillance and control activities across the Gannawarra each year between October and March as part of the annual Victorian Mosquito Management and Control Program,” Mr Rollinson said.

“Mosquito control is a community-wide issue and residents are responsible for reducing the opportunity for mosquitoes to breed on private property.”

Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of warm stagnant water and residents should remove stagnant water and keep the area around homes well maintained to reduce mosquito breeding sites on their own properties. A knockdown fly-spray or surface spray can be effective in reducing adult mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten around homes.

“Items like pot plant stands, animal watering containers, rainwater tanks, blocked guttering, and unmaintained swimming pools can become significant breeding sites on private land,” Mr Rollinson said.

“The chance of being bitten can be reduced by removing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.”

To reduce mosquito breeding on larger properties, mosquito control products are readily available from local rural supply and select hardware stores or by engaging the services of a licenced pest controller.

Residents can protect themselves from being bitten by limiting outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long, loose fitting clothes, and applying a mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET to exposed skin when outdoors.

For more information regarding protecting yourself from mosquito-borne diseases, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/beat-the-bite