Mozzie spraying continues ahead of Easter
Published 07 April 2020
Moreton Bay Regional Council will continue on-ground and in the air mosquito spraying ahead of Easter, as part of ongoing efforts to limit mosquito numbers as recent king tides provide perfect breeding conditions.
The decision to operate on the morning of the Good Friday Public Holiday to reduce mosquito numbers is expected to have minimal disruptions as residents are encouraged to stay home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Weather permitting, Council will start treatments on southern blocks from 6:30 AM on Thursday 9 April including Rothwell, Clontarf, Kippa-Ring, Griffin, Mango Hill, Lawnton and Deception Bay.
This will continue for northern blocks from 7:00 AM on Friday 10 April (Good Friday) including Burpengary East, Uhlmann Road, Beachmere, Ningi, Donnybrook, Toorbul, Elimbah and Bribie Island.
Treating on Good Friday means that we can have the best result for the treatment and reduce the greatest number of larvae possible.
Although mosquitoes do not carry the COVID-19 virus, they do transmit a number of other viruses that impact the health of our community including Ross River virus.
A dedicated team of pest management experts constantly monitor changes in the environment, including weather patterns and tidal flows, so that Council can respond proactively to prevent mass mozzie outbreaks.
Responsiveness is key to success, because there’s a small window of opportunity to target the larvae when they are between the second and third stage of their lifecycle.
By targeting the mosquito larvae where they breed, these treatments reduce the number of mosquitoes that become adults and that emerge from the wetlands and impact our community.
Although it’s not possible to eradicate mosquitoes entirely from our communities, Council and residents can work together on keeping their numbers down.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions as well to protect themselves and their properties.
Empty any containers around your property which might be holding water - as little as 100ml of water is enough for more than 400 adult mosquitoes to develop in just one week.
Spray screens and outdoor surfaces with barrier treatments which contain the active ingredient bifenthrin.
This active ingredient lasts for six to eight weeks and will kill mosquitoes which land where it has been sprayed. It’s readily available from hardware shops.
Wear insect repellent if you’re heading outside at dawn and dusk as these are times when mosquitoes are most active.
For more information visit Council's mosquito management page.