13 March 2012

About 60 houses across Maryborough will be selected on Wednesday (March 14) as part of a mosquito survey to be carried out by Fraser Coast Regional Council Environmental Health and Vector and Pest Management staff.

They will check to see if mossies such as Aedes aegypti, which can carry Dengue Fever, are in the district following the wet spring and summer. To date no Dengue Fever carrying species have been found on the Fraser Coast.

Conditions have been ideal for mosquitoes to breed following the recent heavy rains across Queensland.

Residents are also urged help control mosquito numbers by getting rid of potential breeding sites around their homes such as trays under pot plants, old tyres or tubs.

Mosquitoes that breed in containers around homes can fly many kilometres – but if they’re breeding in pots on your patio then they don’t have to go far to find someone to bite

Residents can take simple steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes including:

• Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active, from late afternoon until two to three hours after dusk, and in the early morning just before and after sunrise.
• If you go outside during these times, wear loose clothing and cover up as much exposed skin as possible.
• Use an insect repellent that contains DEET (avoid using repellent on children younger than 12 months).
• Screen all the doors and windows to keep mosquitoes outside.
• At least once a week, empty all flower vases, pot plants and other containers that hold water. Thoroughly wipe the inside of the containers to remove any mosquito eggs. To prevent the spread of the eggs, dispose of the cloth in a bin.
• Get rid of all tins, jars, tyres and other rubbish that may hold water.
• Empty wading pools after use and clean thoroughly with a cloth to remove mosquito eggs.
• Keep roof guttering in good condition and regularly remove leaves to stop pools of water forming.
• Prune trees to prevent leaves and debris from blocking the guttering.