Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are annoying insect pests which have the potential to carry diseases such as Ross River and Barmah Forest Viruses, and Dengue Fever.
There are more than 25 common species of mosquitoes in North Queensland with many capable of transmitting disease. Mosquitoes need water and a small amount of nutrients to breed. During hot humid conditions, eggs can develop to mature adults within a week.
The majority of mosquito problems in Mackay are caused by saltmarsh mosquitoes. Further mosquito breeding occurs in freshwater after periods of high rainfall. Regular high tides cause tidal marshes to flood, triggering mosquito breeding. Seasonal tides exceeding six (6) metres and high rainfall events can also cause flooding of saltmarsh and freshwater areas.
Treatment and control
Council's Vector Management Unit aims to keep mosquito populations to acceptable levels through various forms of treatment and control.
Council's main method of reducing mosquito populations is larviciding. Larviciding focuses on the destruction of the mosquito while in its larval form, rather than the adult stage which is more difficult to control.
Treatment is carried out in both fresh and salt water areas. Salt water areas are usually treated twice monthly depending on tidal patterns and fresh water areas are inspected and treated as larve are found.
Aerial larviciding
Council successfully introduced aerial larviciding in 2004. This method of larviciding supplements the extensive ground based larviciding program which operates all year round.
Aerial treatments are undertaken when extensive breeding occurs following king tides and high rainfall. This allows greater access to large breeding sites which can be treated in a much shorter period of time.
Council uses a helicopter to distribute environmentally friendly, target specific larviciding products which provide both immediate and residual control. Mosquito control staff monitor larvae numbers before and after treatment to determine efficiency.
Protect yourself
Mackay Regional Council’s Mosquito Management Program operates all year round. Management and specifically control of mosquitoes is the programs main focus.
To reduce the greatest number of mosquitoes as possible, council treats the vast mosquito breeding sites in our salt marsh and freshwater swamps adjacent to residential areas. However, there are numerous things individuals can do to help reduce the impact of mosquitoes.
Steps to eliminate mosquito breeding areas around the home:
- Dispose of all containers which hold water.
- Keep fish ponds stocked with fish and keep the edges of ponds and drains clear of grass.
- Keep swimming pools full and properly maintained.
- Screen rainwater tanks and ensure guttering is not holding water.
- Screen all septic tank vents and seal all gaps.
- Fill or drain depressions in the ground that hold water.
- Empty pot plant drip trays once a week or fill them with sand.
- Maintain drains so that water can flow away within two to three days.
- Do not over irrigate
People in mosquito-prone areas should also fit insect screens to doors and windows, and when outdoors, cover exposed parts of the body with long sleeves, trousers and hats and use an effective insect repellent.
Mosquito action groups
Mackay Regional Council is a member of the Mackay and Region Health and Vector Control Group. The group meets approximately three times a year with its main focus on Dengue Fever preventative promotion and education.
Mackay Regional Council and its Mosquito Control Staff are also corporate and individual members of the North Queensland Branch of Mosquito Control Association of Australia (MCAA). The MCAA aims to foster and adopt policies for rational and responsible approach to:
- Mosquito control
- Assist in developing and projecting a positive view of mosquito control
- Assist in ongoing training for control managers and technicians
- Provide current advice to members on mosquito control
- Provide advice on new technical advances and products relevant to mosquito control in Australia
- Publish the “Bulletin” to disseminate information about biting insect management
Mosquitoes in your neighbourhood?
Contact council if mosquitoes are causing a nuisance in your neighbourhood.
More information
For more information, download Council's brochures and view the Frequently Asked Questions below
- Vector management plan (PDF 345 kb)
- Dengue fever brochure (PDF 863 kb)
- Mosquito Management (PDF 2.1 mb)