Mosquitoes fact sheetWhy control mosquitoes? Mosquitoes cause problems not only because they can be a nuisance, but also because they can spread disease, particularly in warmer climates. In South-east Queensland mosquitoes can transmit a number of diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus as well as Dog Heartworm.

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but can spread disease, particularly in warmer climates, such as South-east Queensland.

Controlling mosquitoes in your yardThere are many insecticide products available from hardware stores and nurseries that are suitable for the control of mosquitoes, ask your store assistant for recommendations or check the labels.

If choosing a natural pyrethrum insecticide, you may need to apply it weekly as this product has little residual value and breaks down quickly in sunlight.

Insecticide products can be mixed with water according to label instructions and applied using a pump-up type garden sprayer. Areas to be treated are where mosquitoes rest, such as shaded alcoves around buildings, underneath outdoor furniture, dense vegetation and shrubbery. Pay particular attention to the underside of leafy shrubs where insects rest during the day to avoid the sun.

Applying an insecticide a few hours prior to outdoor activities such as gardening or barbecues will assist in reducing mosquito numbers. Always follow the instructions on the label and wear the recommended protection when mixing and spraying.

What can residents do?You can take steps toward reducing the mosquito problem by using some basic control measures.

While different mosquitoes utilise a wide variety of aquatic habitats to breed, they may also be breeding in your own back yard or neighbourhood.

Ways to eliminate breeding sources:

• dispose of all tins, jars, tyres, and other water holding receptacles in your yard

• once a week, empty all water holding containers such as flower vases, pot plant bases, buckets, bird baths, pet drinking bowls and other water holding containers

What is the City of Gold Coast doing?City of Gold Coast’s Pest Management Unit conducts inspection and treatment programs of both larval and adult mosquito populations throughout the city.

The city has been mapped with potential mosquito breeding sites. Each site is checked on a regular basis by our licensed pest management technicians. If breeding is found at any site, it is treated using an appropriate method.

There is in excess of 2000 hectares of salt-marsh mosquito breeding area in the northern region of the Gold Coast, these areas produce extremely high numbers of mosquitoes which hatch as larvae after being flooded by spring tides. The mosquitoes hatch at once and are treated, using bio-rational larvicide products, by aircraft in order to cover the vast area before they become adults.

Adult mosquito surveillance is carried out using CO2/light traps positioned in problem areas. Results from these traps determine the extent and in most cases, the origin of the problem. We conduct misting (or fogging) programs using truck-mounted machines in problem areas to reduce the numbers of adult mosquitoes.If you have a problem with mosquitoes you can catch some of the adult mosquitoes and place them in a small jar.

Call the Pest Management Unit and arrange for an officer to pick them up for identification. Once the species has been identified, the possible source of breeding can be investigated.

• screen all openings to water tanks and other large water containers with wire gauze not coarser than 1mm aperture mesh

• keep fish ponds stocked with native fish that can eat mosquito larvae. Native fish can be sourced from City of Gold Coast’s Pest Management Unit

• fill all water holding depressions and holes in the yard with soil. Holes in trees should also be filled

• ensure roof gutters are clean and free of leaf litter so they drain freely with no low points where water can accumulate

• fill pot plant bases with sand to absorb water, with outdoor plants discard the bases altogether

• keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated

• ensure all drains are free-flowing and clear of weeds

• inspect your house, yard, workplace, school and neighbourhood for mosquito breeding sites.

Personal protectionRepellents are very effective against mosquitoes and should be used when engaged in outdoor activities, particularly the early morning and late afternoon or evening periods when mosquitoes are most active.

There are several different active ingredients used in personal repellents, the most common being DEET and Picaridin. Choosing a repellent that suits you is the key. Some people who are sensitive to repellents find that a mixture of equal parts Dettol and an oil such as baby oil, ti-tree oil or lavender oil is useful. When gardening, wear loose fitting long sleeved shirts and long pants in a light colour – mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours.

The use of mosquito coils is also effective as the smoke and insecticide in burning coils interferes with the insect’s senses. Coils should be placed upwind of where you are sitting or working.

Screening windows and doors in your house will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes encountered inside, and ceiling fans will also help by keeping the air inside circulating.

Mosquitoes are attracted to any increase in humidity around us. This may be caused by perspiration or by activities such as watering gardens and washing cars.

Try to avoid these activities early or late in the day. Mosquitoes are further attracted to carbon dioxide (in our breath) and hone in on this to source blood meals.

Mosquito facts• There have been over 40 different species recorded

within the Gold Coast area.

• The Dengue Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has not been found on the Gold Coast.

• Only a handful of mosquito species occur in numbers high enough to cause problems for residents.

• Not all mosquitoes bite humans. Some bite birds and others bite reptiles.

• Some mosquito larvae feed on other mosquito larvae.

• Not all mosquitoes spread disease, however some species spread specific diseases.

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For more information contact City of Gold Coast Pest Management Unit7.30am – 3.30pm Monday – Friday

P 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au

Saltwater swamps are a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.