Mozzie numbers on the rise
Date published: 15 December 2016
Townsville City Council officers have launched an aerial and ground assault on saltmarsh mosquitos as high tides and rain bring a rise in hatchings.
Community Health and Environment Committee chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said mosquito eggs that had been dormant due to the dry conditions would now hatch in large numbers.
Officers are already conducting ground treatments. Aerial treatment was undertaken to the south of the city yesterday and will occur in northern areas today.
Cr Greaney said council staff had been closely monitoring the situation.
“Treatments do not affect the adult mosquitoes already flying around but every attempt will be made to prevent more mosquitoes emerging,” Cr Greaney said.
“There are multiple small isolated pockets of coastal mosquito breeding areas that seem to be the main cause for mosquito numbers and these are the areas we will target.
“As these adult mosquitos disperse from the saltmarsh wetlands, we’ll see an increase in mosquito activity in coming days.
“We recommend residents take the usual precautions, including lighting mosquito coils, applying mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing when outdoors, particularly at dawn and at dusk.”
Cr Greaney said the city was now in the mosquito season so mosquito activity levels would fluctuate until around April.
For more information on saltmarsh mosquitoes, visit our Community Safety page about Mosquitoes or see watch our Facts about Mosquitoes in Townsville video
