Effective and environmentally sustainable mosquito management is an important community service that reduces the public health risk from mosquitoes as well as minimising their impact on the lifestyle we all enjoy here in our beautiful city. Environmental conditions, breeding cycles and mosquito-borne disease risks are complex and continually changing so we know it is important to keep our community informed on mosquito management activities and how you can protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases.
Weather Challenges
During July and August, winter cold fronts brought above average rainfall, persistent tide surges and strong winds making it difficult to carry out aerial larvicide treatments. Despite these conditions, mosquitoes continued to breed and spread from the wetland breeding sites.
Current Situation
The City's mosquito management Group members, have been actively inspecting mosquito breeding sites and monitoring adult mosquito populations. Currently mosquito populations are moderate to high.
1 represents low populations while 5 represents extreme numbers and high levels of activity
Recent Treatments in the Peel Region
13 September 2024 253.4 hectares
2-3 August 2024 499.3 hectares
2-3 September 2024 373.3 hectares
6/8 October 2024 509.9 hectares
Aerial larvicide treatments began in early August and will continue to winter 2025. Details of aerial larvicide treatments can be found on the City's website.
Looking ahead
Spring brings longer, warmer days and provides ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and migrate far from breeding grounds. Spring also sees an increase in the time we spend outdoors which means we need to become "mosquito aware and prepare" to avoid mosquito bites and mosquito borne viruses.
What can you do
Cover up: Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes like jeans. Make sure children are also appropriately covered up.
Repel: Use insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), also known as PMD, and always follow the instructions on the label.
Clean up: Stop mosquitoes breeding in water pooling around your home or holiday accommodation by emptying water from containers.
By staying informed and taking these simple steps to protect yourself and your family, we can all enjoy the outdoors in Mandurah. Together we can make a big difference in reducing the impact of mosquitoes on our community.
