Gold Coast City Council fogging to quell mosquito swarms

Residents have been demanding action as huge swarms of mosquitoes plague Gold Coast suburbs. Now Council is taking action. FIND OUT THE AREAS BEING SPRAYED

MOSQUITOES have overrun Gold Coast suburbs as rainfall and higher than normal tides create a perfect storm for breeding.

More than 30 people have been treated in the Gold Coast health district this year for mosquito-borne diseases including Ross River virus, dengue and Barmah Forest virus.

Gold Coast City Council is taking action, working to combat the soaring saltmarsh mosquito numbers by fogging and spraying across the city.

>>> SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL LIST OF AREAS BEING SPRAYED

The mosquitoes plaguing Coast suburbs are primarily the saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax.

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Councillor Kristyn Boulton has advised residents, particularly in suburbs from Arundel north to Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point, about the “higher than normal populations”.

“The mosquitoes are predominantly aedes vigilax, the saltmarsh mosquito, which breeds in coastal saltmarsh and mangrove wetlands following summer king tides,” she said.

“The tides at the end of February were much higher and lasted longer than predicted, due to the large ocean swells caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma.

“This caused extremely widespread tidal inundation, generating larger than normal populations of mosquito larvae.”

Councillor Kristyn Boulton. Picture: Richard Gosling

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Cr Boulton said the larvae had been targeted as part of the council’s normal aerial treatment program.

“However, effective treatment was difficult due to the strong winds generated by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma. As a consequence, the treatment was not as successful as would normally be expected,” she said.

“The Pest Management Unit is addressing the situation by conducting fogging through the region, to help reduce the impact from the adult mosquitoes which have now emerged.

Council workers will “continue to monitor mosquito populations”.

Gold Coast City Council has been fogging to reduce mosquito numbers in recent days, says councillor Kristyn Boulton, who shared this photo to Facebook.

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Fogging to reduce mosquito numbers will continue if the weather permits.

Wet weather has led to some interruptions.

“To reduce mosquito numbers further, officers suggest residents check their property and remove any laying water to prevent further breeding. Plant pots, fallen palm fronds and water holding plants such as bromeliads are good places to start,” Cr Boulton said.

She urged residents to use insect repellent if they’re outside, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

In total, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service has this year treated 16 cases of Ross River virus, 13 cases of dengue and two cases of Barmah Forest virus, according to notifiable conditions reports.

No cases of malaria have been reported.

Last year, 142 diseases were reported, including 98 cases of Ross River fever.

Tweed Shire Council has also been carrying out aerial and ground treatments in an attempt to control mosquito numbers south of the border.

MOSQUITO SPRAYING

• APRIL 1-2: Completed at Biggera Waters, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Oyster Cove, Paradise Point, Sactuary Cove, Santa Barbara and Runaway Bay
• APRIL 4: Coomera, Coomera Waters, Jacobs Ridge, Kingsholme, Ormeau and Sanctuary Cove from 4am to 6am
• APRIL 5: Arundel Hills, Coombabah and Parkwood from 4am to 6am
• APRIL 9: Mermaid from 5am to 9am
• APRIL 10: Evansdale, Gardiners Creek, Paradise Waters and Watsons from 5am to 9am
• APRIL 11: Palm Beach from 5am to 9am