Midges, mozzies: Victoria’s bug invasion amid wet, warm weather

Midges, mozzies and bugs of all sorts are driving Victorians batty amid our spell of wet, warm weather. They also present risks.

A worker sprays for mosquitoes as a clean up continues in Maribyrnong after a flood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

They are the flying, biting insects which annoy Victorians every summer but there are new concerns about mosquitoes, midges and other insects amid our wet, warm weather spell and in wake of floods.

The recent floods across regional Victoria and downpour of rain in the metropolitan areas have created the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs.

This led to the Department of Health issuing a warning about Japanese encephalitis virus due to the “greater risk of infections” created by the recent rains which have created a hive of insect activity in flood areas.

Dr Cameron Webb, from University of Sydney and NSW Health Pathology, believes we can also expect an uptick in the pesky insects like midges.

“You’ll get lots of midges and other flying insects which might not bite but they might spread pathogens which make us sick,” he said.

“They can cause a nuisance because of their sheer number and attraction to lights around our homes and parks, areas like that.”

However, the biggest risk after the recent flooding is mosquitoes, which can carry disease.

“Sometimes with the flooding, there’s too much water and it washes away to mosquito larvae and things like that,” he said.

“They probably thrive more when the flood waters recede so some of the areas in Victoria and New South Wales experiencing flooding at the moment, the mosquito populations will probably increase dramatically in the weeks ahead.

“Because they need stagnant water in pools, ponds and around our homes as well.”

University of Sydney medical entomologist Dr Cameron Webb

While there have been no cases of JEV reported in Victoria but earlier this year, the state managed 13 cases of the virus usually seen in the Torres Strait, southern and eastern Asia and Papua New Guinea.

Vaccination against JEV is being offered to people in high-risk areas or involved in the clear up from the recent floods or living in flood-damaged accommodation.

“It’s important to remember that mosquitoes are really more than a nuisance biting problem, they can pose a pretty significant threat to human health,” Dr Webb said.

From donning insect repellent to wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing, removing any stagnant water, there are plenty of well-known tips for preventing mosquitoes bites and bumps.

But there are also plenty of DIY solutions you can implement to defend your home from the buzzing bugs.

“The problem we have over the coming months is the whole east coast of Australia seems like a mosquito habitat,” Dr Webb said.

“So it’s really important that you’ve got fly screens on your windows and in some cases, it’s even about using insecticide in the home to reduce the mosquitoes that are flying in.

“Other things like making sure your roof, gutters and drains are clean and screening your water tank is a really good idea as well.”