Mosquito expert warns of massive influx this summer as La Nina takes hold

A CSIRO expert has warned of a new threat to Aussies as the nation’s bleak La Nina summer kicks in.

Australia’s historically damp summer will likely bring about an unwelcome influx of mosquitoes as the nation prepares for months of La Nina weather patterns.

The wet conditions are a breeding ground for the annoying insects, especially in coastal areas and estuaries.

The uptick in humid conditions means we’ll likely be applying aeroguard as often as sunscreen this summer, as CSIRO mozzie expert Brendan Trewin warns of the increased potential of diseases carried by the bloodsucking pests.

Because the La Nina weather system encapsulates all of Australia, most Aussies -- not just those living in the tropics -- should expect to see an increase in mosquitoes., in addition to an earlier forewarned influx of spiders and snakes.

“Mosquito populations are closely tied with La Nina events, any rainfall events for that matter,” Dr Trewin said via Channel 7.

“Whenever you have high rainfall in one area, mosquitoes will boom. But the thing about La Nina is it’s all across Australia.

“So it’s not just going to be north Queensland, or Brisbane that’s going to be experiencing increased mosquito populations, it’s going to be all across the country.”

The CSIRO expert warned people to be wary of the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is establishing itself in new parts of the country.

One disease of note is dengue fever, which is carried by mosquitoes and is characterised by high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and potential skin rashes.

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The CSIRO expert warned people to be wary of the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito and dengue fever, which has been detected as far south as Victoria.

We might all want to take a leaf out of Cape York’s book in battling the mosquito summer.

“We don’t want the dengue fever mosquito spreading further south,” he says. “It was once found all the way to the Victorian border through these large rainwater tanks.”

The Asian Tiger mosquito is another major human and livestock health risk, capable of spreading dengue fever, yellow fever and viral infections.

“It’s a species that’s highly invasive,” Dr Trewin continued. “It’s spreading all through Europe, all through the Americas, north and south, it invaded through California in the last five or six years.

“We are very worried it’s already here. That’s why we’re putting a lot of effort into next-generation tools to get rid of it, if we find it.”

Dr Trewin shared crucial tips for Aussies looking to best prepare themselves for the heightened mosquito population this summer.

He warns against keeping your house open and investing in robust mozzie-proof screens and doors. He also recommends regular yarn inspections and regularly and tipping out any water deposits mozzies can breed in.

Larvae build-up in water tanks provide mosquitoes with a fertile breeding ground to multiply en masse.

The uptick in humid conditions means we’ll likely be applying aeroguard as often as sunscreen this summer.

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has taken to eradicating the problem by air.

Helicopters will use a process called ‘fogging’ to kill the larvae nesting in the city’s mangroves and tidal invest, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

“Timing is everything and we know there is no point spraying while heavy rain is occurring,” Mr Tate said this week.

“We needed to wait until the recent rain had passed as we need to target stagnant water in the wetlands and creek areas.”

In a passionate rallying cry, Mr Tate told residents: “We’ll fight them in the mangroves, we’ll fight them on the beaches – kill them dead.”

Queensland authorities have already warned people to cover up to avoid mosquitoes as the weather warms up to Ross River virus.

Mosquitoes contract the virus from biting an infected animal then transmit it to humans when they bite the skin, but it isn’t contagious so it can’t be passed on through human-to-human contact.

Some people who contract the virus can suffer joint pain and fatigue for months after their infection, but most recover within weeks.