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SCIENTIFIC PAPERS

 

 DESCRIPTION OF MONITOR AND TRIGGER FOR CONTROL

Trapping for mosquitos usually occurs throughout the summer months on a weekly basis.  When setting mosquito traps, random locations are identified around town.  These are usually in public places or in private yards, in dark, cool places, where mosquitos rest.  When traps are collected, mosquitos are counted and identified, so that the numbers of mosquitos that transmit diseases are known and also that the type of breeding environment can be identified.  Generally the threshold that has been set is 50 mosquitos per trap so that when that number is exceeded, then it may be time to look closely at some sort of control.  The method of control chosen is entirely dependent on the situation, and in large rainfall events, more than one type on control measure may be warranted.  

  

CONTROL MEASURES CURRENTLY BEING USED

Brigade T&O:  The active ingredient of Brigade T&O is Bifenthrin. Brigade T&O is the latest chemical to be registered for mosquito control. It is used by applying the chemical to areas where mosquitos rest and also by providing a barrier between the area of breeding and human habitation. Brigade T&O can be effective for up to six weeks, and has provided excellent control in trails conducted in the Emerald Botanic Gardens. The Emerald Shire Council has developed a number of barriers that are sprayed with Brigade T&O to restrict the movement of mosquitos into residential areas. This only involves spraying on council controlled land and has not been applied by council to private owned land. It is applied by using a backpack sprayer and is sprayed onto foliage.

Methoprene (Altosid, Nomoz): Methoprene is an insect growth regulator.  It is a synthetic hormone that prevents the mosquito larvae from maturing into an adult mosquito.  Altosand pellets can give control of mosquito larvae for 1-3 months. The can be used as pellets in small amounts of water or biquettes in larger bodies of water.

Fogging with Reslin: Fogging with Reslin is the mosquito control method that has been used in the past.  It is used when mosquito populations are very high and are used in combination with the methods mentioned previously.  It kills mosquitos on contact and does not have any residual mosquito control.

 

DISEASES

There are two main viruses that are transmitted by mosquitos in the Emerald.  Both are transmitted by the mosquitos Aedes notoscriptus and Culex annulirostris, which are commonly found in this area.  They can also both carry heartworm of dogs.

Ross River Virus (Epidemic Polyarthritis)

This is the most common arbovirus disease in Australia.  As many as 60% of people who become infected with the virus do not show any symptoms of the disease.  Once a person has this disease they have long term immunity to it.  The disease is most commonly seen in adults.  The symptoms include:

  • Joint pain, primarily in the wrist, knee, ankle, and small joints of the extremities.  Severe pain lasts for 2-6 weeks with residual pain commonly lasting 30-40 weeks.  Relapses of severe painare common during this 30-40 week interval.
  • In many people, the onset of arthritis is followed in 1-10 days by a rash, affecting mainly the trunks and limbs.  The rash disappears within 5-10 days.
  • About 30-50% of people exterience mild fever or chills

The arthritis, rash and fever may occur in any sequence, and recovery from the disease may be associated with fatigue and depression.

Barmah Forest Virus

Barmah Forest virus is similar to Ross River virus in that the mosquitos responsible for its transmission are the same, and it usually causes an infection that is asymptomatic.  Clinical infection resembles Ross River Virus, however it is less common with about 0.23%of the Queensland population being infected annually.

Mosquitos are also responsible for a number of other diseases, that thankfully are not a concern in Emereld.  More information a can be found at www.health.qld.gov.au   Just do a search on the word mosquito.

 

HOW YOU CAN AVOID BEING ANNOYED BY MOSQUITOS

Even thought the council does its best to control mosquitos, it is still a community problem and there are a number of ways to minimise the chance of being bitten, and the spread of disease:

  • make sure that your fly screens are in good order and are tight fitting
  • have your dog checked for heartworm
  • give your dog a protected place to sleep
  • keep away from breeding areas at dusk and dawn
  • use a reliable repellent- make sure it contains DIETHYL TOLUAMIDE (DEET)
  • use an effective and improved insecticide inside the house
  • clean up tins, containers, empty buckets, bins and old tyres left lying around your property as these often collect water.
  • drain low lying areas that allow water to collect for longer than one week
  • report any breeding areas to your local council
  • if mosquitos are a problem contact your local pest controller, as an application of Bistar around your home may be an option
     

 

IDENTIFYING MOSQUITOS

Culex annulirostris

Culex australicus




 

 Aedes notoscriptus

anopheles armictus

Anopheles annulipes

 Aedes vittiger

 

Anopheles bancroftii

 
   
 
LINKS
Want more information on mossies, check out these other helpful sites

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

   

This page was last edited in February, 2008