Mosquitoes can be a nuisance to the community. Their bites can be irritating and painful, particularly to infants and sensitive individuals. Some species pose a health risk as they are able to transmit infections such as Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus.

Mosquitos cannot breed without water. Ensuring that our backyards are not harbouring potential breeding sites is important to reducing mosquito breeding in the Shire.

What you can do to fight the bite

Ways to protect yourself from being bitten include:

  • Avoid being outdoors during increased mosquito activity, such as at dawn and dusk
  • Wear loose fitting clothing that is light coloured
  • Cover your arms and legs
  • Apply insect repellent containing DEET.

To find out more visit Fight the Bite.

Non chemical methods to repel mosquitoes

  • Use non-chemical methods to reduce or repel adult mosquitoes
  • Screen outdoor patios and sitting areas with fly screens and doors
  • Use a fan in outdoor areas to create an air pressure change that repels mosquitoes
  • Reduce the number of lights used at night in outdoor areas
  • Change to yellow or to low fluorescence globes
  • Use outdoor ‘bug zappers’ on patios and outdoor sitting areas
  • Cut, mow or reduce the amount of excess moist garden foliage.

Chemical methods to reduce or repel mosquitoes

  • Use mosquito coils, lamps, candles that burn citronella
  • Apply a residual insecticide product (one that remains on a surface for 1-2 weeks) on patio and house eves, door and windows sills, paved areas and some garden areas (read instructions carefully).

Remove standing or stagnant water

  • Dispose or empty regularly all water holding containers including old tyres, buckets, trays, tins, scrap metal, bowls and discarded toys
  • Ensure gutters are clean, free draining freely and do not hold stagnant water
  • Keeping ornamental ponds stocked with mosquito-eating fish, e.g. goldfish, koi
  • Empty pot plant drip trays once a week or filling them with sand
  • Empty and clean animal and pet drinking water containers once a week
  • Keep swimming pools well chlorinated, empty of leaves and run the filter once a day
  • Repairing leaking taps and reticulation which can cause pooling of water
  • Avoiding over watering lawns and sprinkler run off into storm water drains that create permanent pools of water in the storm water drain
  • Fit mosquito proof cowls on the vent pipes of septic systems
  • Screen rainwater tanks to prevent mosquitoes entering and laying their eggs on the water surface
  • Ensuring that ornamental garden plant such as bromeliads, do not hold water.

Important note: Please note points above have variable effects depending on the size of the area and number of mosquitoes present and are provided as suggestions only.

 For more information on mosquito control visit the Department of Health website.