Health Services Information Sheet 5

Mosquito Control

Introduction

The Town’s Mosquito Monitoring and Control Program focuses on mosquito breeding in wetland areas adjacent to the Swan River. The majority of the known mosquito problems experienced in the Town have been associated with these areas, e.g. Ashfield Flats and Bindaring Park. Wetlands are low-lying areas saturated with water for long enough periods to support vegetation. Wetlands are important as they help improve water quality and regulate nutrient flow. However it is important to recognise that this environment also provides mosquitoes with ideal breeding conditions. Many of these breeding sites are very close to residential areas and therefore may impact significantly on the health and lifestyle of residents and visitors of the Town.

The Program

The Town’s program commences at the beginning of the mosquito breeding season, usually around September and concludes at the end of the season, approximately in May each year. The program involves:

Inspections of sites two to three times a week during breeding season;
Regular trapping of adult mosquitoes to identify species and populations;
Treatment of mosquito breeding on public land with approved larvacides;
Enforcement of local laws in relation to breeding on private property;
Investigation of complaints regarding excessive breeding;
Inspecting stormwater drains when required;
Follow up questionnaires with residents who contract a mosquito-borne disease;
Health promotion activities;
Regular meetings with neighbouring local authorities, i.e. the Cities of Swan, Bayswater and Belmont and Department of Health, to exchange information, compare results and ensure co-ordinated and consistent control programs.

It is important to recognise that despite there being a mosquito management program in place, total eradication is not possible. Therefore those who reside near or frequently visit the wetland areas must take their own protective measures to avoid being bitten. This is not only so that the mosquitoes don't 'bother' you, but to ensure that they do not 'bite' you and transmit a disease!

Personal protection

The measures that should be taken to reduce the risk of being bitten and minimise contracting a mosquito borne disease are:

reduce outdoor activities during high mosquito activity periods (dawn and dusk);
cover up by wearing light coloured long sleeve shirts and long pants that are loose fitting;
apply personal insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin if possible
ensure fly screens to doors and windows are fitted and maintained
check your property for potential breeding sources.

Remember, all it takes is one mosquito bite from an infected mosquito !

Preventing breeding around your house

it has also been established that some major contributors to mosquito breeding are those found in residents yards, e.g. swimming pools, pot plant drip trays, gutters, rainwater tanks.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water ! It is therefore important to ensure that your property is also free from mosquito breeding. To prevent them breeding in your backyard;

get rid of containers which hold water;
keep mosquito-eating fish, like gold fish in garden ponds and eliminate vegetation around the edges of the pond;
keep swimming pools well chlorinated, filtered and free of dead leaves;
fit rainwater tanks with insect-proof mesh, including inlet, overflow, and inspection ports. Also ensure your guttering is water-free; and
empty pot plant drip trays once a week or fill them with sand;

Protecting your home

There are a variety of products that can assist in reducing mosquito numbers around your property that can be applied to vegetation and surfaces. For information about these products please contact your pest control company or hardware store. Other items you can consider and implement include:

Place fly-wire on all doors and windows.
Ensure lids of septic tanks, soak wells/leach drains are sealed.
Ensure your sewerage vent pipe has a mosquito proof cowl and if it is metal that holes have not rusted through. Your vent pipes are usually located outside, adjacent to your bathroom or laundry and running up the side of the house and through the roof.
Put fly-wire around tank inlets and overflows, or put about a tablespoon of liquid paraffin or baby oil on top of the water in the tanks.

Remember, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, they can carry viruses.

Your assistance is vital in helping make this Mosquito Monitoring and Control Program a success.

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