Buzz around town is mossies on way | Gladstone News | Local News in Gladstone
Buzz around town is mossies on way
THEY’RE big, they’re back, and they bite.
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Olga left Gladstone weather-beaten and soaked to the core and unfortunately the recent rain has also brought mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are a part of our natural environment and can breed in both fresh and salt water.
Since we cannot eradicate them completely, we can take precautions to protect ourselves from being bitten.
Brooke Barnes, from the Gladstone Regional Council, said an influx of mosquitoes was expected in the coming weeks.
“I would expect with the amount of water that Gladstone has had we will end up with more breeding of the fresh water species in the low lying areas and some from the king tides,” Ms Barnes said.
“I expect to see an influx in the next week or so if there is going to be some.”
Gladstone Regional Council currently has in place a program to control mosquitoes in the major breeding sites, particularly around Gladstone.
Council’s vector control staff are monitoring and treating breeding sites to reduce the number of mosquitoes affecting residents.
Residents can play a vital role in reducing mosquitoes around the home.
Many species of mosquitoes commonly found in back yards are potential carriers of Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Dengue Fever and dog heartworm.
Ms Barnes said the council was doing light trapping each week and if numbers reached a certain limit, fogging would begin.
“I would strongly recommend that people check their yards for breeding, especially with the amount of rain we have had, as there are probably some spots that people don’t realise are there,” Ms Barnes said.
By taking the following steps you can control mosquitoes at your place:
Inspect your house and yard and remove any accumulations of water;
Empty pot plant bases weekly or fill the base with sand to absorb water;
Bromeliads and other water-holding plants should be washed out weekly;
Clean roof gutters regularly and trim back trees which can block gutters;
Ensure rainwater tanks are screened;
Keep swimming pools maintained;
Birdbaths, fishponds and ornamental pools should be washed out weekly and where possible, stocked with suitable native fish.
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