Mosquito Control

Published on Thursday, 17 September 2020 at 12:00:00 AM

The Shire of East Pilbara maintains a comprehensive mosquito monitoring and control program across its town sites.

The Shire’s mosquito management program is in place due to the disease risk that mosquitoes pose and detailed information about mosquito borne viruses is available on the Department of Health website.

What can I do to protect myself and stop mosquitoes breeding around my home?

  • Cover up by wearing light coloured long sleeve shirts and long pants that are loose fitting
  • Apply personal insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin if possible
  • Reduce outdoor activities during periods when mosquitoes are more active (dawn and dusk)
  • Ensure fly screens to doors and windows are fitted and maintained
  • Some spatial repellents might also be useful (pyrethroid containing coils etc.)
  • Check your property for potential breeding sources
    • Empty pot plant bases weekly or fill the base with sand to absorb water
    • Plants that can hold water such as bromeliads should be washed out weekly
    • Ensure rainwater tank overflow pipes are screened and access covers are fitted securely
  • Keep swimming pools maintained
  • Ensure plumbing and vents to septic tanks are screened
  • Wash out birdbaths, ornamental pools and pet drinking bowls weekly

What does the Shire of East Pilbara do to manage mosquitoes?

The Shire carries out regular mosquito treatment in the three towns and maintains a flock of sentinel chickens that are used to monitor Murray Valley Encephalitis and Kunjin prevalence in the area. The Shire also receives notifications from the Department of Health on infectious diseases including mosquito borne viruses and patients are contacted to assist in the identification of mosquito breeding sites.

Residents can obtain more information by visiting the Shire’s website or contacting the Shire’s Environmental Health Services on (08)91758000. Your assistance in reducing mosquito numbers and creating a healthy living environment for everyone is greatly appreciated.

Jeremy Edwards
Chief Executive Officer

Back to All Items