Mosquitoes are found in Geelong and all over Australia, with different species dominating different areas, although higher numbers inhabit wet, coastal regions

Australia has more than 300 species of mosquitoes and serious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Global temperature rising due to climate change, has fuelled the need for professional mosquito control and made it more necessary than ever.

Mosquito Management Program – monitoring and treatment

We monitor mosquito larvae levels in known breeding sites and apply mosquito larvicide treatments when larvae levels are high.
We focus on monitoring mosquito levels and managing mosquito larvae.
The major components of our program are:

1. Monitoring
2. Ground Treatment
3. Light trapping
4. Community Education

Adult male mosquitoes eat plant juices and nectar.  It is only female mosquitos that bite people. Blood serves as a source of protein before she lays her eggs. Female mosquitoes have a long, piercing mouthpiece, with which they pierce the skin to consume their blood, so usually at dusk and into the night, the female mosquito goes on a hunt to find animals and humans to prey on.

This means the mosquito can pick up diseases and pass them on to you.

Female mosquitoes tend to target some people over others when it comes to feeding.  Researchers do not yet fully understand the reasons for this selective process. Mosquitoes have sensors that pick up on carbon dioxide emissions so body heat, body odours such as sweat and lactic acid, and movement might play a huge role in attracting Mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. The female will lay her eggs on the waters surface and most will hatch, 7 – 14 days later, depending on the water temperature. They breathe at the surface of the water through a siphon and feed on plant materials in the water.  Once hatched, the larvae [commonly referred to as wrigglers] turn into pupae [an insect in it’s inactive immature form between larva and adult] and then emerge as adults after 1-2 days

Eliminating potential breeding sites for mosquito larvae can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home:-

• Inspect your house and yard to see if water is lying around
• Inspect horse water troughs weekly
• Empty containers that may hold water, including old tyres, buckets, tins and rubbish bins
• Empty bird baths and pet water dishes on a weekly basis
• Put sand around the bases of pot plants to absorb excess water
• Keep swimming pools salted and chlorinated and empty them when not in use
• Ensure that fish ponds are stocked with fis
• Keep swimming pools salted and chlorinated and empty them when not in use
• Ensure that fish ponds are stocked with fish
• Example of inlet pipe to water tank where mosquitoes could breed.
• Keep roof gutters in good repair and remove leaves and debris so pools of water do not form
• Keep lawns and gardens well maintained so that you are not providing shelter for adult mosquitoes
• Mend leaking taps.

Stop mosquitoes from entering your home

• Install flywire screens on all windows and self-closing wire screens on doors. Check them regularly and mend any holes.
• When camping, ensure your tent is screened to stop mosquitoes from entering.

Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes

• Wear long, loose fitting, light coloured clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours
• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Some mosquitoes in coastal areas also bite during the day
• Use an effective repellent on exposed skin
• Repellents containing the active ingredient ‘DEET’ or Picaridin are most effective against mosquitoes

Take care when applying repellents, and always read the product label before use

There are several natural scents that help repel the mosquitoes:

•  Some of those scents are listed below-
• Citronella
• Clove
• Cedarwood
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Lemongrass
• Garlic
• Basil [oil from the leaves]

People can also use mosquito-repelling candles which are easily available in shops as well as online stores to keep mosquitoes away from their homes

Learning how to control mosquitoes is an important step toward safeguarding your home.