How to Manage Virus Carrying Mosquitoes in your Backyard
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While cooler weather generally assists the reduction of mosquitoes, recent wet weather, and high levels of rainfall over the past weeks may cause an increase in mosquito numbers.
Receding floodwaters and pooling water from heavy rainfall can provide perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed. It is a timely reminder to the community to be proactive in reducing mosquito breeding in their own back yards. Mosquitoes can carry viruses such as Ross River Fever, Barmah Forest Virus and your dogs can also contract heart worm.
You can help control mosquitoes around the home.
- Pot plant bases: Preferably dispose of the base altogether. Alternatively, empty and clean the base weekly or put sand in it to absorb the water.
- Tins, tyres, jars, toys, and rubbish items: Any items left lying around the yard that hold water will breed mosquitoes. Store under cover and dispose of all unwanted items.
- Roof gutters: Clean out leaves and other debris regularly. Cut back and trim trees. Blocked gutters will breed mosquitoes.
- Bromeliads and other water holding plants: Other than removing the plants altogether use a high pressure hose to remove any mosquito larvae.
- Rainwater, wells, and drums: Large water holding containers must be screened with wire gauze no coarser than 1mm mesh.
- Bird baths, fishponds, and ornamental ponds: Clean weekly to remove mosquito larvae. Keep Australian native fish in your ponds.
- Swimming pools: Keep chlorinated and regularly operate the pool pump all year round.
- Drains or depressions: Maintain drains to allow for water flow. Fill in any depressions to prevent water ponding.
