Brisbane City Council Sprays For Mosquitoes – Will It Help Home Owners?
Council Targets Mosquito Hotspots
The Brisbane City Council recently set a plan in motion to manage the alarming mosquito population spike in the city and surrounding areas. Some entomologists are actually describing it as an invasion with millions of mosquitoes settling in the area in such a short period of time. The plan involves spraying insecticides over the pests’ hotspots as well as their breeding sites. The importance of these drastic measures became evident as millions of mosquitoes moved into the city proving to be quite a nuisance to the residents. The health risks involved also played a major role in motivating the city authorities to commence with the eradication steps. The one question on everyone’s mind however is what this means to homeowners in the region and whether or not it will help.
When Did The Mosquito Problem Start?
In order to understand the aim of this project, it is first of all very important to understand what the problem is. Brisbane is in all essence a mosquito hub. With the many water bodies, the warm temperatures and occasional heavy rains, mosquitoes have the perfect environment to survive and reproduce. The saltmarsh mosquito in particular is one of the most significant species and is especially drawn to the saltmarsh regions in Brisbane after which the species is named.
The mosquito problem is usually exacerbated by changes in weather patterns. In this case, rainy seasons and occasional storms like the recent ones caused an increase in mosquito population. These favorable conditions also prompted the migration of new mosquito species into the area.
Will The Spraying Work?
So back to our question; will the spraying work for homeowners in Brisbane? The most likely answer is yes. This is not the first time that the country has waged war on the pesky pests. With their perennial presence, the authorities have had no choice but to carry out these mass eradication projects on a regular basis. Therefore if the results of the previous mass sprayings are anything to go by, then this one should be just as effective and subsequently
beneficial to the area’s residents.
3 Key Benefits That Home Owners Can Expect
1. Reduced mosquito presence
The pests are not referred to as pesky for gags and laughs with their annoying buzzing and constant presence making them a nuisance to the residents. It therefore goes without saying that one of the main improvements to look forward to is their general absence both indoors and outdoors.
2. Reduced risk of mosquito-borne diseases
In addition to being annoying, mosquitoes pose a major threat to human health. Many species found in the Brisbane area are known biological vectors of different diseases. By getting rid of the pest, the city council will be contributing significantly to the prevention and control of the associated
diseases.
3. It will allow home owners to enjoy professional pest control services
Working with professional exterminators is without a doubt a major benefit to homeowners. They possess specific skills, equipment and of course knowledge that gives them an advantage. Residents can therefore look forward to more effective eradication, that what they would have handling the problem alone. The Council has awarded contracts to several local pest control companies to manage the spraying in mosquito hotspots. Local exterminator, Nicholas Favreau from Pro Pest Control Brisbane said “the spraying will definately help the local residents who live in areas prone to mosquito breeding. The humidity from recent rains has really increased the problem in low lying areas, he added.
4. Reduced cost of personal pest control
Finally, by handling the eradication themselves, the council is saving homeowners in Brisbane a lot of money. Getting rid of mosquitos at a personal level can be taxing on your financially. You have to invest in nets, window screens, insecticides, mosquito repellants and so much more. The residents therefore have a lot to look forward to with the Brisbane City Council doing most of the heavy lifting.
Is it safe?
Another question popping up in relation to this project is whether or not the mass eradication is safe for the environment.
According to the officials involved in the project, the spraying is completely safe. It is reported that since mass spraying was adopted as an eradication strategy for mosquito control, the council only uses environmentally friendly chemicals. These are meant to target both the mosquitoes as well as larva in water without affecting other organisms in the water.
Key Areas Targeted By The Spraying Project
Some parts in Brisbane have been affected more than others by the mosquito invasion. As a result, a majority of the council’s efforts have been focused on these areas. They include: Brisbane Airport, Wynnum North, Murarrie, Hemmant, Fisherman Island, Tingalpa Creek, Tinchi Tamba, Norman Park
Bottom line
In conclusion, there is no denying the fact that this project could not have come at a better time for Brisbane homeowners.