Mosquito Control Underway
Published on 21 October 2016
Mosquito Control Underway
Shallow waters remaining from recent rain events and flooding are creating perfect mosquito breeding grounds across the Gannawarra Shire.
Council officers are conducting surveillance works on public land within the townships of Kerang, Cohuna, Koondrook, Murrabit, Quambatook and Leitchville and are applying a larvicide to kill mosquito larvae where located.
“With the floodwaters coming through we have a vast area to cover,” Council’s Manager Community Health Narelle O’Donoghue said. “Our control methods are very targeted following an assessment of the type of mosquitoes present, their breeding habits and the risk to human health.”
The larvicide is being applied by Council officers either on foot or using four wheeled motorbikes with areas reassessed three to four days later to ensure that treatment has been effective.
Controlling mosquitoes by killing larvae in water is the most effective control measure however in rare instances fogging is used to kill adult mosquitoes.
“From time to time trying to reduce the adult mosquito population is the last option available,” said Mrs. O’Donoghue. “Depending on the type of mosquitoes present, we need to do this during the day to kill the day biting mosquitoes and at dusk to kill the night biters. The weather conditions have to be just right and fogging will be specifically targeted to where there is a significant adult mosquito issue.
Fogging is carried out with a portable thermal fogger that produces a loud noise and a thick fog, that may appear like smoke.
“Where fogging is required we will notify the local fire brigade and VicFire so that they are aware if the fog is reported as smoke, and we will also communicate the message quickly to the community via local social media pages, local post offices, general stores, or the like.”
Property owners and residents are asked to help ensure potential breeding sites are eliminated on private property. Breeding sites are where water ponds for more than a few days.
Residents are also reminded to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes by avoiding being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wearing a good quality repellant (those containing DEET or Picaridin are the most effective), and covering up exposed skin.
Mosquito control programs across northern Victoria commenced one month earlier this year due to recent floods. More information on Council’s mosquito management and control program, how to avoid being bitten and how you can help to reduce potential breeding sites can be downloaded from www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au or by calling Council on 5450 9333.
…ENDS...
Date: 21 October 2016
Media contact: Katrina Thorne T. 03 5450 9333 M. 0409 616 627