Mosquitos

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Mosquitos – Protect yourself against mosquito bites

Not all mosquitoes carry diseases – most are just a nuisance. However, infected mosquitoes can carry a range of diseases including Ross River virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE).

You can only catch mosquito-borne disease from the bite of an infected mosquito. The best protection is to avoid mosquito bites.

How to avoid mosquito bites

  • Wear long, loose fitting clothes if mosquitos are around.
  • Use effective mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin. Repellants can be sprayed directly onto kids clothes rather than directly onto their skin.
  • Avoid mosquito-prone areas, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more active and likely to bite.
  • Consider using plug-in mosquito ‘zappers’ or vaporisers in enclosed verandahs or mosquito-coils in outdoor areas. These should be switched off or put out as soon as the area is no longer in use. 
  • Sleep under a mosquito net if camping out in the open.
  • Ensure that your accommodation has fly screens properly fitted to windows and external doors.

 

How to control mosquitoes around the home

 You can also reduce the risk of mosquito bites by preventing mosquitoes from breeding around your home by following these tips:

  • Clean up your yard and remove anything where water can collect, such as unused pots and tyres.
  • Cover or overturn trailers, wheelbarrows, boats, tools and children’s playground toys to avoid water collection.
  • Keep gutters and drains clean so water runs freely.
  • Mend leaking taps.
  • Change pet drinking bowls, bird baths and vase waters at least once a week, and more regularly in very warm weather.
  • Put sand around the base of pot plants.
  • Keep swimming pools well maintained or empty or securely covered if not in use.
  • Keep fish ponds tidy with minimal vegetation around the edges.
  • Keep lawns and gardens trimmed back to reduce the areas where mosquitoes rest.
  • Check water tanks for gaps around lids, covers and inlet pipes. Fit a removable screen mesh to the outlet end of overflow pipes and to all water inlets if needed.
  • Make sure any water collection containers have secure lids or screens.
  • If mosquitoes are particularly bad, consider using a long-acting surface spray in areas where mosquitoes like to rest. Apply according to the directions on the bottle, targeting areas like the shaded shrubbery near your home. Avoid spraying these products near fish ponds.
  • Use ceiling or floor fans to reduce the chance of bites in your home.

 

Protect yourself and your family

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLOxiigKdc


Further information

Beat the Bite

Ross River virus

Murray Valley Encephalitis

Contact Moyne Shire Council’s Environmental Health Team on 1300 656 564

 

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