Fact sheets
Mosquito Management - General Information
Mosquito management techniques are used to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes in natural and man-made situations and/or to reduce exposure of people to mosquito bites. Approaches include the direct methods of physical, biological, chemical and cultural mosquito control, as well as indirect methods such as land use planning and wetland design.
Why manage mosquitoes?
There are almost 100 species of mosquitoes in Western Australia, and many can be serious pests or transmit disease-causing viruses or parasites. The management of mosquitoes is important for reducing their impacts on health and lifestyle. Individuals should take personal preventive measures to minimise mosquito bites.
How is mosquito management done?
The most effective mosquito management programs are integrated programs, involving more than just the application of chemicals to kill larval or adult mosquitoes. Appropriate land use planning is crucial for achieving adequate buffers between wetlands and residential and recreational land uses. Man-made waterbodies must be designed and managed so as to discourage mosquito breeding.
Direct methods, including physical control (such as source reduction by filling, draining or removing breeding sites, screening rainwater tanks, wearing protective and the use of personal repellents) and cultural control (such as planning outdoor activities to avoid mosquito activity times, or building screened outdoor living areas) are also important components of an integrated mosquito management program.
Application of pesticides for mosquito control must be in accordance with the product label. Environmental approval may be required if mosquito management actions are to be undertaken in conservation areas.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water in natural and man-made wetlands, as well as a range of water-holding containers in urban environments. They can breed in fresh, brackish and saline water conditions and different mosquito species have different habitat requirements. Some mosquito species can disperse many kilometres from breeding sites, so allowing for adequate buffers around wetlands is an important planning approach to reducing the impact of mosquitoes on people.
In urban environments mosquitoes breed in water-holding containers such as pot plant drip trays, septic and water tanks, roof gutters, ponds and car tyres. The removal or maintenance of these sites can permanently reduce mosquito numbers in backyard situations.
Most local governments are involved in mosquito management on public land, but individuals have responsibility for management on their own property and for protecting themselves and their families from mosquito bites.
Further information
For information on mosquito control in your local area or to report mosquito problems please contact your Local Government Environmental Health.
For more information about mosquito management contact the Environmental Health Directorate on +61 8 9388 4999 or email mosquito@health.wa.gov.au
Related websites
(External link)
Last Updated: 8 March 2010
