EXCLUSIVE: Expert warns Aussies to prepare for MONSTER MOSQUITO SEASON as La Nina weather pattern makes summer 'wetter than usual’
- Replies 2
EXCLUSIVE: Expert warns Aussies to prepare for MONSTER MOSQUITO SEASON as La Nina weather pattern makes summer 'wetter than usual’
Summer is here! And I'm sure many of us here at the SDC are looking forward to doing all the summer things like going to the beach, spending some time in the backyard or late afternoon BBQs.
If you are one of those people who enjoy spending time outdoors during the summer, we've got some (bad) news for you...
The La Nina weather pattern has propped our summer to be a little wetter than usual making the country prime ‘real estate’ for a monster mosquito season, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
CSIRO mozzie expert Dr Brendan Trewin said that aside from the floods and other hazards that stormy weather could cause, the condition is also ideal for mosquitoes to breed which in turn causes mozzie infestations and heightens the risk of the diseases they carry.
CSIRO mozzie expert Dr Brendan Trewin said that the La Nina season could prime Australia for a monster mosquito season as wet weather serves as an ideal condition for mosquitoes to breed. Credit: Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF.
Dr Trewin said: “Mosquito populations are closely tied with La Nina events, any rainfall events for that matter.”
“Whenever you have high rainfall in one area, mosquitoes will boom."
“But the thing about La Nina is it’s all across Australia."
“So it’s not just going to be north Queensland, or Brisbane that’s going to be experiencing increased mosquito populations, it’s going to be all across the country.”
‘Mozzie patrol’
The mosquito expert warned Aussies to equip themselves for ‘mozzie patrol’ to reduce the risk of encountering the invasive, disease-carrying ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito infesting new parts of the country.
It must be noted that the Aedes aegypti mosquito serves as the primary vector for four diseases — dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika fever.
Dr Trewin advised that people should check their household water tanks, making sure that they are fitted with sieves and are free from any cracks or holes — a crucial step as water tanks can serve as perfect incubators for mosquito larvae.
Additionally, although the Aedes aegypti mosquito is found throughout north Queensland, the mozzie has also made its way further south in the Wide Bay area and in Rockhampton where there was an outbreak of dengue fever in 2019, according to the expert.
Dr Trewin said: “We don’t want the dengue fever mosquito spreading further south.”
“It was once found all the way to the Victorian border through these large rainwater tanks.”
Although the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti was usually found in Queensland, the species has also made its way further south, according to Dr Trewin. Credit: AP
New mozzie threat
Authorities are also on high alert for the Asian Tiger mosquito.
It was reported that the mozzie species is present in the Torres Strait, with some of its population found at some mainland ports. However, the Asian Tiger mosquito has yet to establish itself on the mainland and authorities want to keep it that way.
“It’s a species that’s highly invasive,” Dr Trewin says.
“It’s spreading all through Europe, all through the Americas, north and south, it even invaded California in the last five or six years."
“We are very worried it’s already here. That’s why we’re putting a lot of effort into next-generation tools to get rid of it, if we find it.”
It must be noted that the Asian Tiger mosquito is a major human and livestock health risk as it spreads fatal diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever and viral infections that can cause swelling to the brain.
Authorities said that in the future, in case of Asian Tiger mosquito infestation in the mainland, Wolbachia may come to the rescue again.
The Wolbachia solution stopped local transmission of dengue fever in north Queensland and is now being used in 12 other countries.
Dr Trewin said: “Not to prevent disease transmission, but to sterilise wild populations.”
“If they are found, the idea is to use Wolbachia to render them sterile and they’ll die out.”
So, what can Aussies do to protect themselves from monster mozzie infestations?
The mosquito expert said that these are his three top tips to properly equip yourself for the mozzie season:
1. Don’t be outside at dawn and dusk, and if you are, wear insect repellent.
2. Make sure your home is as mozzie-proof as possible with screened windows and doors. Don’t leave your house open.
3. Inspect your yard regularly and tip out any water deposits mozzies can breed in, and keep a close eye on the condition of any water tanks.
Folks, this is a friendly reminder from the SDC to follow the necessary precautions to protect yourself from mosquito infestations and the diseases they carry. If you know any other ways to get rid of mosquitoes, please share them with us in the comments below so other members can use them too.
.png){kind=icon}
