Gold Coast mosquitoes and midges: Why there are so many, what council is doing

A surprising reason is being blamed for a surge in the number of biting midges attacking residents of northern Gold Coast suburbs.

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A FULL moon is being blamed for a surge in the number of biting midges - otherwise known as sandflies - attacking residents of northern Gold Coast suburbs.

Council are planning a major fogging operation in Paradise Point, Hollywell, Runaway Bay and Biggera Waters next week after a full moon last Thursday - causing tidal waters to rise - was expected to boost numbers of the midges.

Division 4 councillor Cameron Caldwell said: “There are a number of factors that determine when we do it (fog for mosquitoes and biting midges). It’s obviously the start of the breeding season.

“We’ve deferred treatment until next week (because of the wet weather), but are likely to also take into account the full moon because it’s a factor in the breeding habits.”

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Residents have been complaining to councillors on the northern Gold Coast about a surge in numbers of mosquitoes and biting midges.

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The emergence of adult midges in coastal areas, which can take up to 22 weeks, is commonly associated with new and full moon phases.

Recent rainfall and high tides are also expected to give a major boost separately to mosquito numbers.

“High rainfall events and high tides can trigger increased mosquito breeding in saltmarshes and low-lying areas,” a council spokesperson told the Bulletin.

“The City conducts regular inspection and treatment programs of both adult mosquitoes and larvae throughout the city.

“An aerial treatment was conducted in early October across known breeding spots and localised mosquito and midge spraying was completed in northern suburbs this week.”

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Division 4 councillor Cameron Caldwell. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Residents in suburbs including Hope Island, Coombabah, Helensvale and Coomera have also complained to councillors about rising mosquito numbers.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said there had been a number of complaints to her office.

“We’ve had that sort of weather again with bursts of sunshine and plenty of wet weather that is ideal for mosquito breeding,” Cr Gates said.

“There have been a number of complaints over recent weeks and the officers have responded, getting to areas as quickly as they can.

“It (the volume of complaints) has been significantly over recent weeks so it’s great to see that the officers are able to respond to our specific requests and attack the areas where there are the most problems.”

Council operations targeting mosquito larvae have also recently taken place in Helensvale, Pimpama and surrounding areas.

Division 2 councillor William Owen-Jones said council actively monitored mosquito numbers to help determine where fogging can be most effective.

“They have a trap system where they check to see what the larvae status is and they fog according to that program,” he said.

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Originally published as Gold Coast mosquitoes and midges: Why there are so many, what council is doing