Council's Environmental Health Officers deal with most of the mosquito complaints received in the Region. Upon receiving the complaint, the Environmental Health Officers will inspect the affected site and consult with the complainant and site owner for possible resolutions. If any further action needs to be taken such as bating and monitoring, it is referred to Council's Pest and Vector Control Officer.

• Mosquito Population Monitoring
• Education / Awareness
• Chemical Control
• Management of Rainwater Tanks
• Fact Sheet

Council's Environmental Health Officers deal with most of the mosquito complaints received in the Region. Upon receiving the complaint, the Environmental Health Officers will inspect the affected site and consult with the complainant and site owner for possible resolutions. If any further action needs to be taken such as bating and monitoring, it is referred to Council's Pest and Vector Control Officer.

• Mosquito Population Monitoring
• Education / Awareness
• Chemical Control
• Management of Rainwater Tanks
• Fact Sheet

Council's Vector Control Officers monitor sites for mosquito populations using light traps that use Carbon dioxide (CO2). Light trapping occurs throughout the year. The purpose of light trapping is to monitor sites for an increase in mosquito numbers, determine the species and to measure the effectiveness of the control measures in place. Other monitoring methods are used to look for species that are presently not in the area but could have a significant impact on human health.

Back to top

Council's Vector Control Officers monitor sites for mosquito populations using light traps that use Carbon dioxide (CO2). Light trapping occurs throughout the year. The purpose of light trapping is to monitor sites for an increase in mosquito numbers, determine the species and to measure the effectiveness of the control measures in place. Other monitoring methods are used to look for species that are presently not in the area but could have a significant impact on human health.

Back to top

On site inspections are conducted at various sites in the Region where mosquitoes are likely to breed. People are encouraged to screen their house and stay indoors when mosquitoes are active; and cover up and use a repellent when outdoors. All containers that can hold water should be emptied and stored in a dry place, or thrown out, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around the home and workplace. For further information and educational resources, please visit the Queensland Health website or contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Back to top

On site inspections are conducted at various sites in the Region where mosquitoes are likely to breed. People are encouraged to screen their house and stay indoors when mosquitoes are active; and cover up and use a repellent when outdoors. All containers that can hold water should be emptied and stored in a dry place, or thrown out, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around the home and workplace. For further information and educational resources, please visit the Queensland Health website or contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Back to top

Larvicides
Larvicides are the preferred method when it comes to chemical control. They rely on eliminating the larvae in the breeding sites before they can mature and breed themselves.

Adulticides
Adulticides are aerosol sprays usually discharged from a fogging machine. Light trapping results are used to determine where fogging occurs. Depending on the area and proximity to breeding sites this can be effective in rapidly reducing adult populations.

Both forms of chemical control require careful timing to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Native Fish for Mosquito Control
Although not a means of chemical control, residents may introduce a variety of native fish to their backyard ponds to help eliminate mosquito breeding. For further information, please download the Native Fish for Mosquito Control Factsheet (1.1 Mb), or contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0237 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Residents are encouraged to reduce mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites. For advice on breeding site reduction and prevention please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0237 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Back to top

Larvicides
Larvicides are the preferred method when it comes to chemical control. They rely on eliminating the larvae in the breeding sites before they can mature and breed themselves.

Adulticides
Adulticides are aerosol sprays usually discharged from a fogging machine. Light trapping results are used to determine where fogging occurs. Depending on the area and proximity to breeding sites this can be effective in rapidly reducing adult populations.

Both forms of chemical control require careful timing to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Native Fish for Mosquito Control
Although not a means of chemical control, residents may introduce a variety of native fish to their backyard ponds to help eliminate mosquito breeding. For further information, please download the Native Fish for Mosquito Control Factsheet (1.1 Mb), or contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0237 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Residents are encouraged to reduce mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites. For advice on breeding site reduction and prevention please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0237 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Back to top

Rainwater tanks in the Whitsunday Region have the potential to create Health risks. For example they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they are not properly managed.

To receive more information about how to ensure that your rainwater tank does not become a health risk for you, your family, your neighbour or community, please download the following fact sheets:

• Rainwater Tanks - A Guide to Keeping Your Tank Safe (Queensland Health)
• Rainwater Tanks - Waterwise Queensland Fact Sheet (Environmental Protection Agency)

Queensland Health have also developed a policy for Managing the Use of Rainwater Tanks. Please click here to download the policy.

Back to top

Rainwater tanks in the Whitsunday Region have the potential to create Health risks. For example they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they are not properly managed.

To receive more information about how to ensure that your rainwater tank does not become a health risk for you, your family, your neighbour or community, please download the following fact sheets:

• Rainwater Tanks - A Guide to Keeping Your Tank Safe (Queensland Health)
• Rainwater Tanks - Waterwise Queensland Fact Sheet (Environmental Protection Agency)

Queensland Health have also developed a policy for Managing the Use of Rainwater Tanks. Please click here to download the policy.

Back to top

In order to assist with mosquito control in and around the home, the Whitsunday Regional Council have developed the follwoing fact sheet. Please click here (160 Kb) to download the fact sheet.

Back to top

In order to assist with mosquito control in and around the home, the Whitsunday Regional Council have developed the follwoing fact sheet. Please click here (160 Kb) to download the fact sheet.

Back to top