Mosquitoes
Aside from their nasty bites, mosquitoes can be serious pests and transmit diseases.
With over 100 different species of mosquitoes in Western Australia, doing what you can to minimise their occurrence can reduce their impact on your health and lifestyle. Here are some simple tips and useful information sheets.
Diseases
Many of the species of mosquitoes in WA transmit disease-causing viruses or parasites. By following our simple guidelines to prevent breeding, you can control their occurrence.
Two of the most common mosquito-borne viruses in WA are Ross River Virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV). Both viruses have similar symptoms and similar life cycles.
Symptoms can vary between people and include painful and/or swollen joints, sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rashes, fever, tiredness, headaches and swollen lymph nodes. While there’s no treatment for either RRV or BFV, your doctor can provide some relief.
You can find out more about both viruses on the Department of Health's website.
Eliminate Breeding
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. For example, in water-holding containers, water tanks, domestic ponds and roof gutters. To prevent them breeding in your backyard try the following:
- Get rid of containers which hold water;
- Keep mosquito-eating fish, like gold fish in garden ponds and eliminate vegetation around the edges of the pond;
- Keep swimming pools well chlorinated, filtered and free of dead leaves;
- Fill or drain depressions in the ground that hold water;
- Ensure the vent pipes on your septic tank systems are fitted with mosquito proof cowls. Seal all gaps in the lid and ensure leach drains are completely covered;
- Fit rainwater tanks with insect-proof mesh, including inlet, overflow and inspection ports. Also ensure your guttering is water-free;
- Empty pot plant drip trays once a week or fill them with sand; and
- Empty and clean animal and pet drinking water weekly.
Take a look at our information sheet(PDF, 194KB) for more about preventing mosquitoes in rainwater tanks.
Our Control Program
The City of Swan is highly vigilant in the management of mosquito breeding and has a monitoring and control program in place. This program includes:
- Routine monitoring of known salt marsh mosquito breeding sites;
- Regular trapping of adult mosquitoes to gauge numbers;
- Treatment of mosquito breeding on public land;
- Enforcement of local laws in relation to breeding on private property;
- Investigation of complaints about excessive breeding;
- Follow up questionnaires with residents who contract a mosquito-borne disease; and
- Health promotion activities.
Reporting issues
If you are experiencing problems with mosquitoes you may report the issue to the City for further investigation either by telephoning 9267 9267 or follow this link to submit an investigation request form.
