19 November 2004

Rain makes our homes a breeding ground for mozzies

Pools of stagnant water from recent rain have turned many Sydney backyards into the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Dr Michael Staff, NSW Health’s Director of Environmental Health, warns that any still or stagnant water around the home can encourage mosquitoes to breed and increase the chance of people being bitten.

“Mosquitoes love to breed in places such as ground pools, gutters and containers. We’ve had quite a bit of rain during November but with the summer sun now making more of an appearance, it’s time to clean up around the home to ensure you aren’t providing a breeding ground for mozzies,” he said.

Dr Staff said it only takes two to three weeks to produce large numbers of mature mosquitoes.

He suggests the following tips to minimise the chances of a mosquito breeding ground around the home:

• remove all water-holding rubbish from around the yard
• regularly flush out pot-plant bases
• keep guttering clear
• mow lawns regularly and clear vegetation areas of moist, tangled undergrowth
• make sure openings of septic tanks and water tanks are covered and screened securely.

Other natural mosquito breeding sites include coastal estuaries and areas near rivers dams and lakes.

Dr Staff advised that most mosquito bites are harmless, causing nothing more than a small lump and an irritating itch. However, some mosquitos, particularly in rural areas, can transfer unpleasant infections such as the Ross River Virus and the related Barmah Forest Virus.

“Symptoms for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus are similar. They include arthritis of small joints, tiredness, headaches, rash and fever. These diseases are not fatal, but can cause severe, persistent and debilitating symptoms,” said Dr Staff.

Both diseases are quite common, with over 1000 cases reported in some years, mainly from December through to May, though it is likely that many more cases go unreported.

“If you are planning a holiday or camping trip to a regional area then you need to be more vigilant about mosquitos and avoid getting bitten wherever possible,” Dr Staff said.

Important preventative measures include:

• ensuring all doors and windows, including your tent, has flyscreening in good condition
• protecting your skin from bites by covering up with long sleaves, pants and socks
• use insect repellents on any exposed skin. The best repellents contain the chemical ingredients DEET or picaridin.

Related links:

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au