Residents urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is urging residents to ensure they are protected from mosquitoes.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said mosquitoes could spread serious diseases to humans.

“Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are the most common mosquito-borne diseases in Queensland, but others include dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis virus and Murray Valley encephalitis.

“Mosquitos pose a genuine health risk to our local community and can cause serious illness and long-term health impacts.

“We’re actively encouraging our community to ramp up safety efforts throughout the summer months and following heavy rain, and there are several easy tips that can help achieve this.

“If you’re having trouble with mosquitoes at your place, the best way to control mosquito diseases is to protect yourself from being bitten and prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

“Mosquitoes in the Lockyer Valley breed in freshwater and in almost any site or container holding water, so if you’re having issues at your place, look around your yard for breeding areas.

“This can be managed by:

• tipping out any water in plastic containers, buckets, pot plant trays
• changing the water in dog bowls and bird baths every few days
• clearing your roof guttering of rotting leaves
• throwing away empty containers, tyres or anything else that catches rain around the yard.

“You can also protect yourself by limiting your time in mosquito areas, especially around dawn and dusk; using insect repellent containing DEET; wearing long, loose clothing and installing or repairing insect screens to doors and windows,” Cr Hagan said.

For more information on dealing with mosquitos and black flies following severe weather, visit https://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/repository/libraries/id:2eccbxg5l17q9su8pzhy/hierarchy/our-services/environmental-health/documents/BEATING%20THE%20BITE%20OF%20MOSQUITO-BORNE%20DISEASE.pdf