Mozzie Update
13 March 2008

Recent monitoring around the City has shown that most areas have low or negative larvae readings. The following areas have shown moderate to high larvae levels:

Pt Henry Foreshore
Hovell's Walk
Queenscliffe- Drains along Murray St and Fellows Rd

High temperatures and limited rainfall during February and early March have caused many mosquito breeding sites to dry back. Favourable climatic conditions along with the continued monitoring and treatment of mosquito breeding areas by Council contractors have significantly reduced the number of aerial mosquitoes on the Bellarine Peninsula in the past month.

As per the conditions of the permit from the Commonwealth for aerial mosquito control, COGG is unable to do any helicopter treatment in the wetlands between 15 March and 15 August each year, due to the return of endagered migrating birds to the area. Because of this, two aerial treatments were undertaken in the past fortnight to pre-load the wetlands surrounding Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Leopold, Wallington, St Leonards, and Pt Henry with a mosquito control product that is effective for 2-4 weeks.

Council also monitored the number of adult mosquitoes around the area with light traps, and very low numbers of mosquitoes were caught in the traps. This is a vast improvement from the extremely high numbers of mosquitoes that were trapped earlier in the season.

Areas that were treated during the past fortnight by the ground crew include: The St Leonards Lake, Hovells Walk in Limeburners Lagoon and various drains in Collendina, Moolap, Pt Lonsdale, Queenscliffe and St Leonards.

Remember that people can protect themselves against mosquito bites by wearing clothing that is light coloured and loose fitting, and covers their arms and legs, and by using an effective insect repellent.

If you have any queries regarding the City of Greater Geelong's mosquito control program, please contact Health Services on 5227 0411.

Mozzie Fact: Some mosquito eggs can last for several years!