The Swan Coastal Plain with its coastal
marsh lands like the Leschenault Inlet have the potential to be
Mosquito breeding grounds, currently the mosquitoes in the area
are well controlled by the Shire of Harvey in an organization
known as CLAG.
Given this we still all need to do
our best to make sure that we do not create environments where
the mosquitoes can reproduce and become a pest.
The following is a resource of information
that can be used by the individual to ensure that the risk of
mosquito borne disease is minimized.
FACT SHEETS:
Mosquito management techniques are
used to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes in natural and man-made
situations and/or to reduce exposure of people to mosquito bites.
Approaches include the direct methods of physical, biological,
chemical and cultural mosquito control, as well as indirect methods
such as land use planning and wetland design.
There are almost 100 species of mosquitoes
in Western Australia, and many can be serious pests or transmit
disease-causing viruses or parasites. The management of mosquitoes
is important for reducing their impacts on health and lifestyle.
Individuals should take personal preventive measures to minimise
mosquito bites.
The most effective mosquito management
programs are integrated programs, involving more than just the
application of chemicals to kill larval or adult mosquitoes. Appropriate
land use planning is crucial for achieving adequate buffers between
wetlands and residential and recreational land uses. Man-made
waterbodies must be designed and managed so as to discourage mosquito
breeding.
Direct methods, including physical
control (such as source reduction by filling, draining or removing
breeding sites, screening rainwater tanks, wearing protective
clothing), biological control (such as adding fish to fish ponds),
chemical control (the use of pesticides to kill mosquitoes and
the use of personal repellents) and cultural control (such as
planning outdoor activities to avoid mosquito activity times,
or building screened outdoor living areas) are also important
components of an integrated mosquito management program.
Application of pesticides for mosquito
control must be in accordance with the product label. Environmental
approval may be required if mosquito management actions are to
be undertaken in conservation areas.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water
in natural and man-made wetlands, as well as a range of water-holding
containers in urban environments. They can breed in fresh, brackish
and saline water conditions and different mosquito species have
different habitat requirements. Some mosquito species can disperse
many kilometres from breeding sites, so allowing for adequate
buffers around wetlands is an important planning approach to reducing
the impact of mosquitoes on people.
Most local governments are involved
in mosquito management on public land, but individuals have responsibility
for management on their own property and for protecting themselves
and their families from mosquito bites.
In urban environments mosquitoes breed
in water-holding containers such as pot plant drip trays, septic
and water tanks, roof gutters, ponds and car tyres. The removal
or maintenance of these sites can permanently reduce mosquito
numbers in backyard situations.
For more information about mosquito
management contact Mosquito-Borne Disease Control on (08) 9383
4244.
