Mozzie Update
20 February 2008

Recent monitoring around the City has shown that most areas have low or negative larvae readings. No areas have had high larvae levels. The following areas have shown low larvae levels:

St Leonards Lake
Pt Lonsdale- Stormwater Drains and Santamonica Stormwater Lake
Collendina- Rec Reserve Open Drain

High temperatures and limited rainfall during February 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.

No aerial treatments were needed in the past fortnight. Council monitored the number of adult mosquitoes around the area with light traps, and very low numbers of mosquitoes 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, Santamonica Stormwater Lake in Pt Lonsdale, Surfcoast Saltmarshes, and various drains in Collendina, Indented Head, Moolap, Pt Lonsdale, Portarlington, 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: Most mosquitoes bite mainly at dawn and dusk, but the Saltmarsh mosquito bites all day long!