Humid Melbourne weather could be the catalyst of a fly and mosquito-frenzied summer

You’re not imagining it, Melbourne’s air really is thick with more flies and mosquitoes than usual at the moment and this is why.

Melbourne’s weather has created the perfect storm. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne’s spate of muggy, humid weather has created perfect conditions for a nasty mosquito season, an expert has warned.

After a fortnight of uncharacteristically warm and wet weather in Melbourne, a surplus of stagnant water sources have been left around town – ideal for breeding mozzies and flies.

Recent heavy rain has left plenty of stagnant water around Melbourne. Picture: Diego Fedele

CSIRO principal research scientist Dr Prasad Paradkar said it was not an illusion — there have definitely been more mosquitoes around than normal for this time of year.

“It’s mostly because we have had some heavy rainfall in general eastern parts of Australia, and now the weather is warming, which is a little bit earlier than usual,” Dr Paradkar said.

“It’s expected that there would be increased number of mosquitoes, and that’s exactly what people are seeing.

“They can breed in stagnant water, even small amounts of water, in urban and semi-urban areas. Water tanks, even as small as pet bowls or bird baths, if we don’t clean them out, can be used by mosquitoes.

“For rainwater tanks, we usually advise to make sure there’s a good mesh cover on top of the rainwater tanks to prevent mosquitoes going in and coming out.”

Melburnians have been warned to stay vigilant about mozzies carrying diseases like Ross River Fever. Picture: Supplied

Dr Paradkar said to protect pets and animals, it was important to refresh outdoor water sources every few days at minimum.

“It takes about four or five days for mosquitoes to breed, so if you’re cleaning it out before that then it’ll be taken care of,” he said.

“Mosquitos don’t fly too far, so they are usually around where you live, so make sure there is no water accumulated in and around your houses.

“You can make sure you don’t get mosquito bites by either covering up when going outdoors, wearing long sleeves — but also wear mosquito repellents when you go outside, especially for going out during the dawn and dusk, done, as that’s the peak of mosquito activity.”

Melbourne has copped several weeks of heavy rain and high humidity. Picture: Jason Edwards

With some mosquitoes around Victoria carrying diseases and viruses like Ross River Fever and Japanese encephalitis, Dr Paradkar said it was important to be “alert but not alarmed”.

He also said while “it has never really been proven” whether mosquitoes favour some people over others, there were factors to suggest it could be true.

“It’s not about blood type, really. It’s more about some people are more attractive to some mosquitoes, and that’s mostly because of their smell,” he said.

“So that’s what chemicals are in the sweat, the lactic acid, all of which are some of the chemicals in the sweat.

“Depending on the proportion of those chemicals, some mosquitoes get attracted to it. Certain clothing is also attractive as well — dark coloured clothing is more attractive to mosquitoes.”