Mosquitos get sprayed at the source

Liverpool Council is undertaking a massive logistic effort to help its residents combat mosquito swarms of unprecedented proportions.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun says Council met with Sydney Water and inspected a major source of the mosquito swarms – the Sydney Water Warwick Farm water recycling plant pond.

Sydney Water has allowed its eight-hectare settling pond at Warwick Farm to become overgrown with a prohibited weed that is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos.

“Imagine 20 football fields overgrown with weed and breeding mosquitos – that’s the size of the problem we are coping with,” Mayor Mannoun said.

“Sydney Water has advised Council that they started taking action once we reported our concerns to them on October 31

“It’s disappointing to see the 8 hectare settlement ponds have been allowed to become overgrown with Frogbit, a prohibited plant that creates a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos,” Councillor Mannoun said.

“Sydney Water has advised Council it is now treating the Frogbit under advice from the Department of Planning and Environment.

“In terms of treatment, they have advised that the large settlement pond is also being sprayed with larvicide and this should help reduce the number of mosquitos in the area.”

In the meantime, Council is continuing with its spraying campaign and removing breeding grounds.

“This means we are working with property owners in the Chipping Norton area to treat some 50 neglected swimming pools and we are actively spraying public toilet facilities as well as removing leaf litter and taking action to clear up breeding grounds.

“This is a massive undertaking by Council to try to lessen the effects of a huge mosquito swarm that’s causing havoc in the area,” he said.

Further information about the prohibited weed Frogbit can be found here