Shire starts spraying to smack down mozzies

MOSQUITO treatment is under way on the Surf Coast to get rid of the those pesky and noisy bloodsuckers.
Many a sleep has been ruined or at least severely interrupted by the airborne pests, and here’s the bad news – their numbers are on the rise following a wet and mild winter. Fortunately, the Surf Coast Shire is on the front foot with a monitoring and treatment program.

The treatment aims to intercept mosquitos at the larval stage to prevent the mosquito maturing, as once that happens, the window has closed. The program uses insecticides approved by the Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for mosquito management. The products only affect mosquito larvae. People, other animals, and the general environment are not adversely affected by the aerial treatments.

Cr Adrian Schonfelder said the treatment program would continue until March.

“Mosquito numbers can fluctuate during any season given the varied environmental factors, which can influence their growth, and the ability to treat them.

“But even with a treatment plan in place, people living along the coast can expect to experience high numbers.

“We urge people to protect themselves against bites and take some simple measures to help prevent breeding around homes, including ensuring there is no water lying around for them to breed in.”

The council works in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong targeting large coastal wetlands around Torquay North and Breamlea as well as known breeding areas, particularly around Anglesea.

Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, has issued a health warning to Victorian residents and visitors to protect themselves against the possibility of mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.

In 2017, Anglesea and other parts of Victoria experienced a significant Ross River outbreak. These viruses can cause symptoms including joint pain and stiffness, headache, fever, rash and fatigue.

The best protection from these diseases is to avoid mosquito bites, with protective measures including:
– Regularly using mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin
– Wearing long, loose fitting, light coloured clothing when outside
– Covering arms, legs and feet, and
– Ensuring accommodation including tents is properly fitted with mosquito nettings or screens.

For more information on the shire’s mosquito management program, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Community/Public-health/Mosquitoes.