Mosquito numbers are weather dependant and the recent and ongoing rain means we’re likely to see higher mosquito numbers than in previous years.

While we are working hard to safely reduce their numbers mosquitoes (also known as mozzies) are natural part of the ecosystem and it’s not possible to make a significant reduction in their population.

Unfortunately the ongoing rain has also limited the effectiveness of ground mosquito treatments we have applied.

What we do 

Officers are currently monitoring larval numbers across Greater Geelong and will be continually assessing and reviewing potential breeding sites over the coming months. This includes monitoring known breeding sites applying ground control treatments to drains dams and easements where it is safe to do so.

We are continuing to work through the process of obtaining a 10-year permit to conduct aerial treatments in wetlands that are designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention.

We acknowledge that these are environmentally significant internationally protected wetlands so it’s imperative that we receive the relevant approvals and get the process right.

We also provide educational material for use in school and in the home.

Approved products 

We follow stringent safety precautions we don’t broad based pesticides and we only use approved biological products in our program. People other animals and the general environment are not adversely affected by the treatments.

The program normally operates late May each year and is affected by the changes in weather patterns from year to year. Generally mosquito numbers are low during the winter months and monitoring and treatment are minimal during this period.

What you can do

You can check your property for possible breeding sites around your home.

You can take simple steps to protect yourself from mosquitoes.