Mosquito Management
Mosquito Control
Although mosquitoes are a nuisance, they can never be entirely eliminated from our surroundings. Whilst they are a natural part of our environment, some species of mosquitoes are disease carriers such as the Ross River Virus (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV), Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) and Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE). These are collectively known as arboviruses.
Humans who contract these viruses may experience unpleasant flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain and potentially death.
Council Approach to Mosquito Management
Mosquito numbers are influenced by weather parameters mainly the rainfall, humidity and temperature during their peak breeding period from the months of September to April.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has confirmed the formation of La Nina over the Pacific Ocean. The current outlook of La Nina indicates a cooler and wetter summer than normal. Mosquito numbers are expected to increase with the rainfall and temperature change due to La Nina. Also, Negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is likely to persist into late spring. When La Nina and Negative IOD coincide, the chance of above average winterspring rainfall increases. Additionally, it's been reported that Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is currently neutral but likely to become positive in coming months. These weather phenomena are likely to increase mosquito numbers and thus, increasing the risk they pose to public health.
Accuweather - Mosquito Mount Barker
Council acknowledges that implementing a mosquito control program is a critical step in managing and mitigating the negative impact of mosquitoes on public health. Council has undertaken mosquito surveillance in the form of trapping. Screening which started in the 2021/2022 mosquito season and will continue this season from September 2022 to April 2023 helps in identifying mosquito numbers, species and virus carrying mosquito species within each trap, thus, identifying high risk breeding areas. Council can then implement preventative measures to reduce mosquito larvae numbers within these sites.
View Accuweather data for Mount Barker District Council
Further, steps and measures followed by the council can be found in Mount Barker District Council Mosquito Management Plan.
Personal Protection from Exposure to Mosquitoes
- Put on light colored, loose fitting clothes as mosquitoes are able to bite through clothing's that are tight fitted
- Use DEET (diethyl toluamide) containing insect repellent
- Use bug/insect screens to protect your home, apartment, unit, caravan or tent
- Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is highest
- Mosquito coils and citronella candles are also effective for discouraging unwelcome mosquito visitors at BBQ's or other outdoor activities.
What can you do?
You can play a significant role as well in managing mosquitoes number by taking following actions:
- ensure that there is no water lying around your home or yard
- place sand around the base of pot plants to prevent water pooling in dishes
- dispose of any unnecessary rubbish such as tin cans, jars or tyres
- ensure that fly screens are fitted to all openings of your house
- make certain to screen all openings to tanks, wells and other large water containers with mesh no greater than 1mm
- keep roof gutters in good condition and remove all leaves and debris to prevent water pooling
- keep trees trimmed away from guttering to prevent leaves and other debris falling into the gutters
- make sure that any waste water from your property is not pooling
- keep fish ponds and other ornamental ponds stocked with fish
- ensure that your swimming pool is continually dosed with chlorine or salt and that it is covered when not in use
- empty bird baths and pet's drinking water weekly
- keep all open drains and channels free from obstructions, especially weeds, grass and any other debris
- ensure that boats, canoes and dinghies are overturned, covered or have their drain plug removed to prevent from holding water after rain
- drill holes in tyres used for swings and garden surrounds to prevent them holding water
- stock dams on your property with native fish and ensure the banks are clear of plants.
For more information, visit SA Health's Fight the Bite