Mozzie Update
27 November 2007
Recent monitoring around the City has shown that the following areas have high levels of mosquito infestation:
- Ocean Grove breeding sites
- Barwon Heads breeding sites
- Reedy Lakes - Leopold
- Pt Henry Foreshore and Marsh
- Queenscliffe and Swan Bay breeding sites
As predicted due to extremely high rainfalls and record high tides so far in November, mosquito numbers have increased due to these ideal weather conditions for mosquito breeding. Council contractors have been very busy and continue to monitor and treat our known breeding sites to try and alleviate mosquito numbers.
Vast amounts of areas previously inaccessible have been treated by aerial application which has resulted in a large reduction of adult mosquitoes from what could have potentially been extreme numbers. However there have been reports of very high mosquito numbers in Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and our light trap results have shown this also. This is due to the optimum weather conditions experienced for mosquitoes to breed. We are expecting that the current level of adult mosquitos we are experiencing will reduce as an adult mosquito on average will only live for 14 days. During this week there are high tides and rainfall predicted so mosquito numbers may rise again over the next fortnight but Council will continue to treat these areas to try and minimise the impact.
Mosquito breeding sites on Pacey's Island and Saltwater Ridge near Wallington and Ocean Grove, the Barwon Heads Levee Bank and Stacey's Road in Barwon Heads have been treated via helicopter again during 23rd November 2007. Other areas that were treated during the past fortnight by the ground crew include: The Swan Bay Jetty, Indented Head Foreshore Marsh, Hovells Walk in Limeburners Lagoon, and various drains in St Leonards, Queenscliffe, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Lara. Light trapping results showed reletively high numbers of mosquitoes in Woodlands Estate, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. Moderate levels were found in Breamlea, Geelong Botanic Gardens, St Leonards and Pt Lonsdale, and Pt Henry.
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: In the interest of science, Arctic researchers uncovered their chests, arms, and legs and reported as many as 9,000 mosquito bites per person, per minute. At this rate, an unprotected human would lose one half of his or her blood supply in approximately 2 hours! That's amazing!
