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Mosquito Program Proving Successful

Craig Stevens sets one of the mosquito traps on Phillip Island. The traps provide an early indication of mosquito breeding patterns and subsequent numbers.

A cooperative effort to treat mosquito larvae sites on Phillip Island is proving very successful

By Carol McCormack - 3rd February 2003 - Back to News

A cooperative effort to treat mosquito larvae sites on Phillip Island is proving very successful. Bass Coast Shire Council and Phillip Island Nature Park have been working together to target salt water mosquitoes, which breed in the salt marsh and tidal marsh areas around Churchill Island, Newhaven, south of Rhyll and east of Cowes.

The program is in its fifth year. This year Council has received only a few complaints about mosquitoes in the area.

Corn-cob like granules are distributed by hand in the areas that the larvae breeds according to Hilton Chadwick, Emergency Management Officer with Bass Coast Shire Council.

"This treatment is of no threat to residents at it is non-toxic, non-pathogenic, non-irritant and not harmful to the environment, including various plants, birds, mammals, non-target insects, amphibians and fish," he said.

Hilton said that Council and the Nature Park are continually monitoring the situation because there are many factors that can lead to a mosquito outbreak including hot weather and limited king tides.

"A lot of credit must go to Scott Campell, Ranger in Charge at Churchill Island, for his diligence and commitment to the program," said Hilton.
Landowners can also do their bit by reducing the potential breeding sites for mosquitoes around their homes.

Action that members of the community can take include:

• Dispose of all tins, tyres and other rubbish containers that may hold water.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated, salted or empty them completely when not in use for considerable periods.
• Put sand around the bases of pot plants to absorb excess water in the dish.
• Overturn boats and dinghies or remove the drain plug so they don’t hold water.
• Empty bird baths and pets drinking water at least once a week.
• Stop leaking taps, which can create semi-permanent pools.
• Flush disused toilets once a week.
• Avoid over watering lawns, this can lead to higher water tables or run-off to storm water drains and creation of permanent pools.
• Remove weeds and grasses from drains to enable them to drain freely.
• Keep fish ponds stocked with fish.
• Keep roof guttering in good repair and regularly remove leaves and debris so that pools of water do not form.
• Drill holes in tyres used for swings, playgrounds and garden surrounds, to allow water to drain.

For more information, contact Scott Campbell at the Phillip Island Nature Park on 5956 8300 or Hilton Chadwick at Bass Coast Shire Council on 5951 3311 or 5671 2211.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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