Substantial rain over the holiday period has created ideal conditions for mosquito activity.
Brisbane City Council’s mosquito management team have been working throughout the festive season to target as many mosquito breeding areas as possible using helicopters, quad bikes and 4WD spray trucks. Treatment is carried out by spraying breeding pools to control mosquito larvae.
Areas around the Pine River, Boondall Wetlands, Brisbane Airport, Pinkenba, Hemmant, Fisherman Island, Wynnum, Tingalpa Creek and Whyte Island have been treated this week.
With a king tide expected to peak on Saturday, an aerial treatment will be conducted in wetland areas this weekend.
Council staff are also targeting around 3,000 recognised breeding sites on public land across Brisbane City such as roadside drains, parks and reserves throughout December and January.
Residents should also be vigilant in their backyards. Mosquitoes breed in stored water in unsealed containers including old tyres, ponds, swimming pools, birdbaths, pot plant bases and self-watering pots, boats and drains.
Residents should undertake the following simple measures around their homes:
·        fill self-watering pot cavities with sand or cover the watering hole
·        empty water from pot plant bases every week or fill the bases with sand
·        empty or cover all other items and containers that hold water
·        drain and cover boats and canoes
·        effectively screen rainwater tanks
·        keep your swimming pool chlorinated
·        trim trees and clear leaves from roof gutters to prevent pooling and reduce blocked screens
·        protect yourself by:
-Â Â Â Â limiting your time in mosquito areas especially around dawn and dusk
-Â Â Â Â using repellents containing either Picaridin or DEET
-Â Â Â Â wearing loose fitting, light coloured clothing that covers you
-Â Â Â Â using mosquito nets and screens
-Â Â Â Â using mosquito coils and lanterns
