Brisbane City Council Launches Extensive Aerial Mosquito Treatment Following Recent Heavy Rain
The Brisbane City Council has commenced an extensive aerial mosquito treatment program using helicopters. This widespread treatment plan is considered important for the city. The most recent aerial spraying operation began today, Tuesday, November 18, following recent heavy rain. The spraying started from 9 am, although it was also reported to start at 10 am, and is scheduled to continue into Wednesday, November 19. The Council noted that the treatment is strictly weather permitting.
Program Scope and Expertise
Brisbane runs one of the largest mosquito control programs in the country. Notably, the Brisbane City Council is the only local government in Australia to employ two expert entomologists. This mosquito control program operates year-round, helping to reduce mosquito numbers and ensuring management across the suburbs.
Customer Services Chair Cr Sarah Hutton provided context on the program’s scale and expertise: “We run one of the largest mosquito control programs in the country and are the only local government in Australia to employ two expert entomologists,”. Cr Hutton affirmed that the expert entomologists guide the timing of treatment: “when our expert entomologists say to spray, we spray”. She also noted that the mosquito season is different every year, depending on factors such as the rain, tides, and temperature.
Treatment Methods and Locations
The helicopter spraying targets tidal wetlands and known breeding sites. Both saltmarsh and freshwater mosquitoes are targeted using a combination of aerial and ground treatments. The aerial sprays specifically target saltmarsh mosquitoes. Ground teams support these efforts by treating up to 2,400 freshwater sites across Brisbane each week of the year. Since the 2019/20 season, 88,813 hectares have been aerial sprayed.
The products used for treatment are safe, short-lived, and designed to act only on larvae found at the breeding sites at the time of treatment. The areas slated for the aerial treatment launched today (November 18) include:
- Tinchi Tamba Wetlands
- Bald Hills
- Brighton
- Boondall Wetlands
- Brisbane Airport
- Port of Brisbane
- Pinkenba
- Tingalpa
- Hemmant
- Areas along Bulimba Creek
For background, the first aerial mosquito spray for the season was conducted on Thursday, October 30, when approximately 500 hectares across Brisbane’s southern suburbs was treated.
Public Protection Measures
While the Council is conducting the aerial treatment, residents are advised to take proactive measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Recommended preventative actions include:
- Limiting time outdoors during periods of high activity, particularly around dawn and dusk.
- Regularly applying mosquito repellents.
- Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured protective clothing when spending time outdoors.
- Utilizing screening on doors and windows, or employing mosquito nets or air-conditioning indoors.
- Using mosquito coils and lanterns.
Residents seeking more comprehensive information regarding the planned aerial mosquito treatment can visit brisbane.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, the Council can be reached by phone at 07 3403 8888. An Interpreter Service is also available by calling 13 14 50.
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