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Townsville locals are being urged to do their part to limit the breeding of mosquitoes in their backyards as wet weather begins.

Council’s vector control team uses an integrated mosquito management approach, including ground and aerial larvicide applications.

But Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said it was up to locals to do their part in their own backyard.

“Reducing breeding grounds for mosquitoes is one of the most effective ways to limit mosquitoes in Townsville. You can do your part by regularly flushing out stagnant water in containers, pet bowls, old tyres, bird baths and flowerpots,” Cr Soars said.

“Mosquitoes in Townsville can carry and transmit diseases like Ross River Fever, Barmah Forest Virus and Dengue Fever, all of which have serious health implications.

“Using personal protections like wearing insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved loose fitting clothing, avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, and using mosquito coils around the house can also reduce your chance of being bitten and potentially contracting a mosquito-borne disease.”

Cr Soars said a presentation from Council’s vector control team was noted at this month’s Ordinary Council meeting.

“The presentation from the vector control team covered information like how the team surveys public areas to determine hot spot areas, how significant rainfall events trigger mosquito treatments, and Council’s approach to mosquitoes in the case of a disaster,” he said.

“There was also interesting information about controlling mosquitoes through the Wolbachia bacteria, which can help reduce transmission of Dengue Fever and Zika Virus when introduced to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The World Mosquito Program released Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes in Townsville in 2011.”

For more information about mosquitoes in Townsville, visit Council’s website.