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Mosquito Report
All facets of the Program are reported annually. Reports include, seasonal results on mosquito trapping and monitoring, outcomes of residential feedback surveys and complaints and in addition, trends of mosquito-borne diseases in New South Wales.
Download 2008 Mosquito Control Program - Annual Report (PDF 3.1MB)
Nuisance Complaints and Council's Mosquito Control Program
Reports of mosquito breeding sites and nuisance complaints will be acted on as soon as possible after they are lodged with Council. This may be advice to the customer and/or field investigations. Information and advice on the status, risks and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases is available from Council's Environmental Health Officers and the seasonal Mosquito Control Officer. In the event of a public health emergency Council will act on advice from State health authorities.
A special mosquito surveillance and education program is carried out during the summer months and it involves inspections of watercourses in open areas, carefully monitored treatments with bio-insecticide if necessary, trapping and virus testing of adult mosquitoes, house to house surveys and interviews, investigations of complaints, school talks, promotions and public displays etc.
About Mosquitoes
What are they? How do they breed?
Mosquitoes are insects that have immature stages, i.e. larvae and pupae, living in water. The larva is called wriggler because of the quick movements it uses to escape danger, and the pupa is called wobbler. Most mosquito types have immature stages that breathe air from the water surface. Therefore they commonly breed in more or less stagnant water to avoid drowning.
Adults emerge from the water surface and disperse to feed and find new breeding grounds. Their mouth parts are specialized for sucking. Males feed on nectar only but females need proteins from blood for egg development. Eggs are laid near or on water bodies of any amount. The breeding cycle, from adult to egg to hatched adult, may be completed in less than a week during warm conditions.
What health problems do they cause?
Mosquitoes have worldwide distribution and the many species have different requirements of climate, water type and feeding hosts. Total eradication is not possible and mosquitoes are of importance in the food chain. However, they pass on certain viruses (not including HIV), the Malaria plasmodium and some types of nematode worms, such as dog heart worm and filarial worms in humans. Mosquito-borne disease may cause temporary disease, lifelong suffering or lead to death. Allergy and irritation arising from bites may also be severe.
Mosquito-borne disease is not generally transmitted between mosquito generations. Presence or absence of hosts (disease carrying animals or humans) therefore determines whether transmission to and from mosquitoes will occur at all. Epidemic Polyarthritis is caused by Ross River (RR) virus and Barmah Forest (BF) virus and these are transmitted by mosquitoes only. It occurs sporadically in Sydney because host animals are less abundant in large cities but it may be more frequent outside cities throughout Australia. Dengue fever and Australian encephalitis are more severe diseases that are very unlikely to be transmitted in Sydney. However mosquito breeding and nuisance should be mitigated as far as possible where people live and work.
For further information on mosquito-related diseases and updates on arbovirus status see
Personal Protection
Most mosquito types bite at dusk and dawn but some, eg. coastal species, bite throughout the day as well. Take special care to protect yourself just prior to, and for two hours after dusk. The most effective personal insect repellents contain diethyl toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin® and are contained in creams and sprays. Re-apply repellents after a few hours particularly during hot conditions (please refer to label).
Please note that prolonged or extensive use of repellents on the skin of young children can be dangerous, and babies should not be treated directly at all. Apply product away from eyes and mouth and take care to wash it off once in-doors. Cover up with loose fitting and light coloured clothing as far as possible, and avoid open footwear. In extreme cases use netting over the head. Clothing may also be soaked in special products that last a number of washes.
Mosquito coils offer good protection outdoors. Insect knockdown sprays are effective indoors but ensure that dosage is not exceeded and aeration is provided shortly after usage. Insect screens fitted on windows, doors and vents are very effective provided they are in good repair. Netting over beds and baby cots is a good alternative night time.
Stop the Breeding
Mosquitoes can breed in any stagnant water body so make sure your property does not have water lying around. In order to prevent breeding you should change water weekly in bird baths, stock ponds with fish, make sure your roof gutters drain properly, remove pot plant saucers or fill them with sand, check funnels of bromeliad plants, screen or cover septic and water holding tanks, and keep lawns and other ground vegetation short.
Partly emptied swimming pools containing dirty water are very likely to breed so demolish your pool, fill it in or drain it completely if not used.
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