Published on Tuesday, 19 January 2021 at 3:00:00 PM
To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, the Town of Bassendean has a Mosquito Monitoring and Control Program in place to locate and treat mosquito breeding sites in and around residential areas.
Because mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, breeding can occur in road gullies, water-holding containers, saltmarsh and wetlands, like the site shown in the photo below.
This photo shows a small portion of a mosquito breeding area which was inspected as part of the Mosquito Monitoring and Control Program, which was teeming with close to 10,000 mosquito larvae per square metre upon first inspection.
However, just over a week later, after the area had been treated by the Town, the mosquito population had been reduced to about 500 larvae per square metre.
The Town will continue to monitor and treat known mosquito breeding sites and drains throughout the Town, however, it is important to ensure precautions are taken to avoid mosquito bites, i.e. use of effective repellents, avoiding outdoor areas at dawn and early evening, removing water holding containers and using mosquito coils or lanterns and barrier sprays.
The Town's Mosquito Control Program includes:
- Routine monitoring of known salt marsh mosquito breeding sites;
- Regular trapping of adult mosquitoes to gauge numbers;
- Identification of mosquito species;
- Treatment of mosquito breeding on public land;
- Enforcement of local laws in relation to breeding on private property;
- Investigation of complaints about excessive breeding;
- Follow up questionnaires with residents who contract mosquito-borne diseases; and
- Health promotion activities.
However, the Town's Health Service does not use sprays (adulticides) to control adult mosquito populations.
More information regarding the Town’s Mosquito Monitoring and Control Program can be found here.
Town of Bassendean Public Health Pest Page
Mosquitoes - Information Sheet
If you would like to make an enquiry or complaint about mosquitoes please use the Online Pest Enquiry Form.
Pest Enquiry Form
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