The ongoing flooding across the region has brought an increase in mosquito numbers, with the lakes of swampy water in our river and creek valleys creating ideal breeding conditions for the insects.
The explosion in numbers can present a risk of mosquito-born diseases that can make people ill and, in severe cases, even cause death.
However, simple precautions can help protect our community against mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry.
To protect you and your family:
- Cover up - wear long, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors.
- Use mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin on all exposed skin.
- Limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about.
- Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home or campsite.
- On holidays, make sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
- Use ‘knockdown’ fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat outdoor.
- Always check insect repellent labels. For babies, you might need to spray or rub insect repellents on their clothes instead of their skin. Avoid applying repellent to the hands of babies and young children.
More information can be found on the Better Health Channel - beat the bite.
Wodonga Council has been a part of the Victorian Arbovirus Task Force program for more than 40 years.
Annually this program includes:
- Monitoring a number of historic, suspect and high-risk locations;
- Setting traps to collect adult mosquitos, and dipping for mosquito larvae to provide data to the state-wide database;
- Provide education and advice to the community on mosquito control and risk management and respond to customer requests;
- Increase community awareness through the beat the bite program.
While the council will provide education and advice to residents on mosquitoes and reducing potential breeding sites, property owners are responsible for insect control on their own land.
If you would like your property to be treated, you can contact a pest controller to discuss what barrier treatments are available.
Wodonga Council’s Arbovirus Management plan 2022-2025 provides the framework and actions to guide Wodonga Council and its stakeholders in the planning, monitoring, treatment, education and management of vector risks.
The Department of Health has released to the public mosquito surveillance reports.
The report breaks down disease notification and trapping numbers by LGA or region.