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Mosquito Control Program
For the past 16 years, the City of Ryde has conducted a Mosquito Control Program (weekly December to April), in conjunction with NSW Health (through Westmead Hospital Department of Entomology), Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) and Parramatta City Council.
The Saltmarsh Mosquito (Aedes vigilax) is very aggressive and breeds in the protected saltmarshes on the southern side of the Parramatta River outside the Ryde Local Government Area. During these summer months, Saltmarsh Mosquitos can rapidly increase and disperse, (5-10km wind assisted even as far as Macquarie Park)
SOPA is responsible for ground and aerial larval spraying of the Saltmarsh Mosquito habitat. This is aimed at cutting numbers of the Saltmarsh Mosquito in the Homebush Bay area where they breed.
For more information see Sydney Olympic Park's Mosquito Control Program (PDF 95KB)
This regional approach is complemented by localised action carried out by City of Ryde and includes spot hand spraying when breeding areas are detected. This targets freshwater mosquitoes – the many species freshwater mosquitos – the type found in puddles, water containers, stagnant backyard pools, creeks and drains.
Council does not undertake broad scale spraying of large areas as this is not an appropriate control mechanism for the type of mosquitoes found within the Council area.
Types of Mosquitoes
Saltmarsh Mosquitoes
The more aggressive, daytime biters can travel up to 10kms. They breed in Homebush Bay and other flat, low lying locations along the southern side of the Parramatta River. These areas are managed by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority who undertake regular aerial and ground based larvicide treatment. This action has reduced larval numbers by more than 90% after each treatment.
Saltmarsh Mosquitoes breed in stagnant saltwater eg tidal channels that can become blocked where tidal waters fail to reach. They do not normally breed among mangroves, where regular tidal waters flush them out and fish are predators.
There is currently no evidence of Saltwater Mosquito breeding sites along the City of Ryde foreshore.
Freshwater Mosquitoes
Several freshwater mosquito species, including the common Domestic mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) can be found in local residential areas – eg. in puddles (after rain), stagnant drains, dirty swimming pools, stagnant creeks, ornamental ponds and water features, rubbish and containers).
Freshwater species normally travel only 50-100m from their breeding site. Weekly investigation has shown them to be in 'low' to 'medium' numbers in the City of Ryde.
For information on how to control freshwater mosquitoes around your home see our Help Sheet.
Report possible breeding sites
In addition to Council’s regular monitoring program of six trapping sites, Council investigates all complaints or advice received about possible breeding sites.
You can contact our Environmental Monitoring Officer, Gith Strid-Nwulaekwe 9952 8197 for assistance or advice. For further assistance contact City of Ryde Customer Service on 9952 8222.
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