Avoid the Mosquitoes

Did you know the mosquito is the most deadly animal? That’s right, more human deaths are associated with mosquitoes than any other animal on the planet. Get tips on how to avoid mosquitoes in your surroundings.

While mosquitoes can be active around the home, the greatest risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission typically occurs close to wetlands, bushland or other environments where both mosquitoes and wildlife are abundant.

Avoid these natural habitats and times of the day when mosquitoes are most active. When mosquito populations are high, biting may be experienced at any time of the day but, generally, mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.

Mosquito populations will be highest close to breeding habitats such as wetlands or flooded areas. However, some mosquitoes can travel many kilometres from breeding habitats and will generally take refuge in woodland or forested areas. 

As well as the use of repellents, wearing loosely fitting long pants and long sleeved shirts will assist in reducing the number of mosquito bites received. Clothing can also be pre-treated with insecticides (e.g. permethrin) for added protection.

What To Do Around the Home:

• Ensure windows, doorways, and balconies are appropriately screened to provide protection from flying mosquitoes.
• Residual insecticide applications to the building and/or surrounding vegetation may provide protection (from your pest control services provider).
• Electronic vaporisers can provide effective protection indoors and in sheltered outdoor areas.
• Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticides (e.g. synthetic pyrethroids), can provide effective protection.
• The operation of ceiling or floor fans may assist in reducing mosquito activity.  Mozzies and flies do not like wind.
• Ensuring that any opportunities for mosquito breeding immediately outside the home are eliminated can greatly reduce local mosquito populations. 
• Eliminate all water collection articles like old tins, tyres, and containers.  
• Even empty bird baths which can provide a breeding medium.
• Clean out blocked rainwater guttering (water catchment site).
• Ensure rainwater tanks, septic tanks, etc are screened properly to prevent female mozzies from laying eggs there. 

For more information about mosquito season, click here.