Residents urged to take steps to lower mosquito numbers

War has been declared on mosquitoes after a breeding frenzy triggered by big rains and high tides.

The Shire of Broome started fogging last Friday after noticing the insects had reached a level where action was required.

The fogging machine was towed along selected streets in Broome running in a north-south direction to maximise coverage and effectiveness in killing adult mosquitoes.

The council said the chemical used was approved by the WA Health Department but could potentially cause some irritation and advised people to remain inside if fogging happened nearby.

Shire of Broome’s manager of health, emergency and rangers Ty Matson said fogging was only one tool in managing mosquitoes and the community needed to be involved.

“Environmental health officers have been working to minimise mosquitoes, including monitoring areas of standing water to find out where they are breeding, and then applying larvicide to prevent them growing to adulthood,” Mr Matson said. “Trapping adult mosquitoes allows us to monitor the identity and density of the population, and the Shire also maintains a sentinel chicken program with the WA Department of Health to detect mosquito-borne viruses.

“But we also need the community to take measures to prevent mosquitoes breeding around their homes, and to prevent themselves being bitten.”

Measures to protect the community by stopping mosquitoes from breeding include:

• Emptying any standing water from containers, old tyres and drums.
• Keeping ornamental ponds stocked with mosquito-eating fish.
• Keeping swimming pools well chlorinated and filtered, as well as free of leaves.
• Filling or draining depressions in the ground that hold water.
• Screening rainwater tanks with insect-proof mesh.
• Ensuring guttering does not hold water.
• Emptying pot-plant drip trays once a week or filling with sand.