Mosquito management

Mosquito lifecycle

Queensland Health has issued an alert following a single case of Japanese encephalitis virus in Queensland. Find out more about Japanese encephalitis.

Council’s mosquito management program monitors and treats mosquitoes to keep their numbers as low as possible. 

Its success is dependent on environmental factors including favourable tides, wind conditions and rain, and often coincides with treatments occurring in neighbouring local government areas.

Mosquitoes are mostly active in South East Queensland during the warmer months from September to April.

Council has developed a Statement of Management Intent(PDF, 2MB) for the Mosquito Management program. The purpose of this document is to articulate the approach that Council will take to manage mosquitoes across the region.

Lodge a request to provide feedback on mosquitoes in your local area, or for more information on Council’s ongoing mosquito management program.

Mosquito request

Further information available at QIMR Berghofer - Discover mosquito control website

Types of mosquitoes and management program

South-east Queensland is home to many types of mosquitoes with those that cause the greatest impact for residents being:

1. Saltmarsh mosquito (Aedes vigilax)

Saltmarsh mosquitos hatch in the inter-tidal and mangrove areas of the region including Hays Inlet, Griffin, Mango Hill, Beachmere and Bribie Island.

Saltmarsh treatment areas

2. Freshwater mosquito (Culex annulirostris)

Freshwater mosquitoes breed in water that has pooled beside roads, in reserves, parks and residents' yards after a rain event.

Freshwater treatment area

3. Container breeder (Aedes notoscripts)

Container breeding mosquitoes can be active during the day or night and prefer shaded area around homes. They breed in containers holding rainwater including plant saucers, tyres buckets, water tanks and blocked gutters.

Containers around the house that breed mosquitoes.

Aerial and barrier treatments

Aerial treatments

Council uses a helicopter to treat the region's inter-tidal and mangrove areas, targeting saltmarsh mosquito larvae which usually develop after rain or a tide higher than 2.45 metres. Aerial treatments are often planned to coincide with predicted tide events, although the effectiveness of helicopter treatments for saltmarsh mosquito larvae can be affected by wind and follow up rain.

Aerial treatments target larvae and not adult mosquitoes.

Mosquito helicopter treatment

Fogging and barrier treatments

Fogging and barrier treatments are used in public areas such as reserves and parks to reduce the impact of adult mosquitoes on residents.

Council's mosquito treatment (BTI)

Council uses a naturally occurring bacterium found in soils called BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) to treat mosquito larvae in the region. BTI contains bacteria that produces toxins that specifically target and only affect the larvae of mosquito, blackfly and fungus gnat.

BTI is an approved treatment for pest control use in organic farming operations and our marine parks. There are no precautions needed when applying the treatment. BTI has no toxicity to:

  • humans
  • honey bees
  • animals
  • food crops
  • water supplies.

The treatment is sprayed over the intertidal areas of the region that are inundated during rainfall and tidal events providing ideal conditions for the mosquito larvae to develop.

View the BTI safety data sheet

How residents can reduce mosquitoes

You can help reduce mosquito numbers by:

  • emptying any containers around the home that may contain rainwater such plant saucers, tyres, buckets, and clearing blocked gutters
  • changing the water in bird baths and pet bowls regularly
  • keeping your swimming pool chlorinated
  • creating a frog-friendly garden, stocking ornamental ponds and water features with fish
  • residents should also consider applying insect repellent if outdoors at dawn or dusk
  • products are available from most hardware outlets which will assist in reducing adult mosquito numbers around the home.

Rainwater tanks can provide ideal conditions for mosquitoes and midges to breed. A gap the size of a matchstick head is enough to let mosquitoes into a tank to lay their eggs. Where possible, gaps should be covered with mosquito-proof screen or netting.

Japanese encephalitis

Queensland Health has issued an alert following a single case of Japanese encephalitis virus in Queensland. This is a disease spread through the bite of an infected mosquito to people and animals. It is important for everyone to take steps to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes, particularly after the weather event that our region has experienced. Use repellent when you are outside and empty any containers that are holding water.

Find out more:

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