What Types of Mosquitoes Are Found in Sutherland Shire and What Diseases Can They Spread?

 

Mosquitoes are common around Sutherland Shire, especially near coastal areas, bushland and places where water can collect. Knowing what types of mosquitoes may be around, what illnesses they can potentially spread and how to keep their numbers down can help you protect your home and family. Pest Control Sutherland Shire can also help when mosquito activity around a property becomes hard to manage.

Mosquitoes are something most people in Sydney have had to deal with at some point. In Sutherland Shire, they can be especially noticeable because the area has a mix of beaches, waterways, bushland, wetlands and residential areas.

Most of the time, a mosquito bite is nothing more than an itchy annoyance. But some mosquitoes can carry viruses and pass them on when they bite. This is why it is worth knowing a little more about the mosquitoes that can be found around the area.

One mosquito that gets particular attention in South Eastern Sydney is the saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax. It is known to be involved in the spread of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus when the mosquito is carrying the virus.

Knowing where mosquitoes breed, what attracts them and how to reduce them around your property can go a long way towards avoiding unnecessary bites.

Why Are Mosquitoes Common in Sutherland Shire?

There are plenty of places around Sutherland Shire where mosquitoes can find what they need.

Mosquitoes need water to breed, and even a surprisingly small amount of stagnant water can be enough. Natural areas such as wetlands, saltmarshes and waterways can support mosquito populations, but so can everyday things around a backyard.

Some common places mosquitoes may breed include:

·         Buckets and containers

·         Plant pots and saucers

·         Blocked gutters

·         Old tyres

·         Uncovered water tanks

·         Bird baths

·         Children's outdoor toys

·         Areas where water drains poorly

·         Pool equipment

·         Outdoor drains

·         Water left behind after rain

Warm weather combined with rainfall can create ideal conditions for mosquitoes, so it is common for mosquito activity to become more noticeable during the warmer months.

The Saltmarsh Mosquito (Aedes vigilax)

The saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax, is one of the mosquitoes worth knowing about in this part of Sydney.

As the name suggests, it is closely associated with saltmarsh and coastal environments. When conditions are right, large numbers can appear around these areas.

This mosquito can potentially carry and spread:

·         Ross River virus

·         Barmah Forest virus

That does not mean every saltmarsh mosquito is carrying a virus. A mosquito has to become infected first before it can pass the virus on.

What Can Aedes vigilax Spread?

Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are both mosquito-borne illnesses and can cause fever and other symptoms that may make a person feel quite unwell.

Ross River virus can cause things such as fever, tiredness, a rash, muscle aches and sore or swollen joints. Some people recover fairly quickly, while others can continue feeling unwell for much longer.

Barmah Forest virus can also cause fever, tiredness, headaches, a rash, muscle pain and sore or swollen joints. The symptoms can be different from one person to another.

What Other Mosquitoes Are Around?

There are many different mosquito species in NSW, and they do not all behave in the same way.

The mosquitoes you find at one property in Sutherland Shire may not be exactly the same as those found somewhere else. A home close to bushland, wetlands or the coast can have different mosquito activity compared with a house in a more built-up area.

Some mosquito species found in NSW can be associated with diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus. However, the presence and disease risk of these mosquitoes can vary between locations, and not every mosquito species found in Sutherland Shire is capable of spreading all of these diseases.

That monitoring is useful because mosquito numbers and disease activity can change depending on weather, rainfall, flooding and other environmental conditions.

Does Every Mosquito Carry Disease?

No, and this is worth remembering.

Seeing mosquitoes around your home does not mean there is a disease outbreak or that you are going to get sick.

For a mosquito to spread a particular disease, it generally has to be a species capable of carrying that infection and must first pick up the virus or parasite from an infected host. It then has to survive long enough for the infection to develop before it can potentially pass it to somebody else through another bite.

So, while it is sensible to protect yourself from mosquito bites, there is no reason to panic every time you see one.

What Illnesses Can Mosquitoes Cause?

People often simply say "mosquito fever", but there are several different mosquito-borne illnesses, and they can cause different symptoms.

Ross River Fever

Ross River virus infection is often called Ross River fever.

Some of the symptoms people may experience include:

·         Fever

·         Feeling unusually tired

·         Rash

·         Muscle aches

·         Joint pain

·         Swollen joints

·         A general feeling of being unwell

Some people have mild symptoms, while others can feel the effects for weeks or even longer.

Barmah Forest Fever

Barmah Forest virus can cause symptoms such as:

·         Fever

·         Rash

·         Headaches

·         Tiredness

·         Muscle tenderness

·         Joint pain

·         Swollen joints

·         Swollen lymph nodes

Not everyone who is infected will have the same symptoms, and some people may have very few noticeable symptoms.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is another mosquito-borne illness that health authorities monitor in NSW.

Most people infected with the virus do not develop obvious symptoms. In a small number of cases, however, the infection can become serious and affect the brain.

The risk of Japanese encephalitis varies from one area to another, so it is better to follow current health advice for your particular location rather than assuming all mosquitoes carry the same diseases.

Murray Valley Encephalitis and Kunjin Virus

Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus are also mosquito-borne infections monitored in NSW.

They are more commonly associated with particular inland and river areas rather than being something you should automatically expect from every mosquito in Sutherland Shire.

This is one reason mosquito surveillance is important. It helps authorities keep track of which mosquitoes and viruses are present and where.

What About Dengue and Malaria?

Dengue and malaria are two mosquito-borne diseases that many people have heard about, but they are not simply everyday mosquito diseases in Sydney.

Some mosquito-borne diseases are more common in tropical parts of the world. People travelling overseas can also be exposed to illnesses such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika.

This is especially important when someone comes home from overseas and develops a fever.

If that happens, make sure you tell your doctor where you have travelled. A travel history can be very important when working out what might be causing the illness.

How Can You Reduce Mosquitoes Around Your Home?

One of the easiest ways to reduce mosquitoes is to make your property less suitable for them to breed.

You do not necessarily need to do anything complicated. Sometimes it is just a matter of looking around the yard and getting rid of places where water has been sitting.

1. Get Rid of Standing Water

Take a walk around the property and check for anything holding water.

Tip out containers, turn things upside down where possible and make sure rainwater cannot keep collecting.

2. Keep Gutters Clean

A blocked gutter can quietly hold water for days or weeks.

Cleaning your gutters and making sure they drain properly can remove one more place where mosquitoes can breed.

3. Check Plant Saucers

Plant pots and saucers are easy to overlook.

If they are regularly holding water, empty them or find a way to stop water sitting there for long periods.

4. Look After Your Pool

A properly maintained pool is generally not a mosquito breeding problem.

An abandoned or poorly maintained pool, however, can become a very different story, especially when water is left sitting for long periods.

5. Cover Water Storage

Water tanks and similar water containers need to be secured properly so mosquitoes cannot enter inside them.

6. Check Your Drains

If a particular part of the garden is continually soggy or if water keeps pooling after the rain, something might be wrong with the drainage system.

Solving the issue which causes water accumulation is most probably more effective compared to just pumping water out after every heavy rainfall.

How to Save Yourself From Mosquito Bites

Despite making the effort to control mosquitoes around your property, it is always a good idea to protect yourself from bites.

Following is a simple list of the steps you might take:

·         Use mosquito repellent according to instructions

·         Choose loose clothes covering arms and legs

·         Make sure that the doors and windows have good screens

·         Repair broken window screens

·         Use mosquito nets if necessary

·         Eliminate stagnant water from around the house

·         Be especially careful when mosquitoes are active

What to Do if You Notice Many Mosquitoes?

If you notice many mosquitoes appearing in your surroundings, rather than relying solely on insect spraying to drive them away, it is important to identify the root cause of their sudden emergence.

The reason could either be water pooling, obstructions in drainage or other conditions around the property that are allowing mosquitoes to breed.

We recommend getting the help of a mosquito expert to conduct a mosquito inspection and determine how the problem occurred.

Depending on the situation, mosquito management may involve:

·         Domestic breeding site identification

·         Removal of standing water

·         Cleaning areas where water and debris may collect

·         Vegetation management

·         Control of breeding sites

·         Reduction of places where mosquitoes can hide

·         Treatment of mosquito-infested areas

You can use chemical treatments in some cases, although they will only work effectively if you also eliminate the reasons contributing to the emergence of mosquitoes.

When Is the Right Time to Go to the Doctor?

A normal mosquito bite usually does not need medical treatment.

However, if you develop a fever, rash, strong headaches, unusual tiredness, significant joint pain or other worrying symptoms, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor.

You should be especially sure to mention any recent travel, particularly overseas travel or travel to an area where mosquito-borne diseases are common.

It is also important not to assume that every fever after a mosquito bite is caused by a mosquito-borne disease. There are many other possible causes, so proper medical advice matters.

Final Thoughts

Mosquitoes are simply part of the environment around Sutherland Shire, but their numbers can change quite a lot depending on the weather and the amount of standing water available.

The saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax, is one species of particular interest in South Eastern Sydney because it can be involved in the spread of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.

The good thing is that there are plenty of simple things you can do around your home. Emptying standing water, keeping gutters clear, looking after drains, using flyscreens and protecting yourself from bites can all make a difference.

You do not need to eliminate every mosquito to make your property safer. The primary aim is to diminish places of breeding, restrict bites and tackle mosquito problems before they get out of hand.