Mosquitoes can be a significant nuisance as well as carriers for many disease-causing viruses, and Townsville City Council is urging locals to follow a few simple tips to prevent the insects from setting up breeding sites around Townsville homes.
Recent rainfall has increased the number of breeding grounds across the city, including potential breeding sites in suburban homes and backyards.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said all residents should do checks around their home each week to prevent mosquito breeding.
“Mosquitoes are annoying but they’re also dangerous – they carry diseases like Ross River virus and dengue fever which can have devastating health impacts, which is why it’s essential for locals to make sure there are no mosquito breeding grounds around their house,” Cr Soars said.
“There are simple things you can do weekly to make sure you’re minimising mosquitoes around your home.
“Inspect your house and yard for accumulated water in jars, tins, tyres and any other items that may hold water, and make sure you’ve emptied them. Empty flower vases and wipe the inside of the containers with paper towel to remove mosquito eggs.
“Make sure you’re emptying bird baths and pet drinking water at least once a week and scrub containers thoroughly to remove mosquito eggs.”
Cr Soars said there could also be mosquitoes inside the home.
“Mosquitoes like the Aedes aegypti, which can carry dengue, like to hide in dark spaces around the house,” he said.
“You can combat them by using surface spray insecticide in dark areas around your house, like under your couch, behind cabinets and curtains, and under the house. This should be done monthly to keep mosquitoes at bay.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to do their part to stop the breeding of mosquitoes around the home.”
Cr Soars said Council was conducting proactive mosquito management activities across the city following the recent rain.
“Our dedicated crews are out and about monitoring and treating known breeding sites daily,” he said.
“Council also conducts ground treatments across the city and have started trialling drone application technologies as part of our treatment program.
“Our current treatment program is leading the way in mosquito management in North Queensland and aims to minimise the number of adult mosquitoes dispersed in the region.
“Our staff are only able to treat breeding sites on public land and aren’t able to enter private property, so we’re looking for residents to do some mosquito prevention in their backyards.”
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