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PESTS:
MOSQUITOES
 Within
Australia, there are more than 300 species
of Mosquito, though only a small number
are responsible for the spread of disease,
Dengue Fever, Australian Encephalitis
(Murray River Encephalitis), Ross River
Virus and Barmah Forest Virus Disease
being the main ones. These diseases are at
present only in certain areas. Malaria has
only been transmitted rarely in Australia
during recent decades.
Habits
of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
belong to a family of flies which
possess 6 delicate legs, 2 wings
covered in scales and a probiscus on
the front of its head which sheaths a
long piercing and sucking mouth part.
Both male and female adults will feed
on nectar and plant fluids, but the
female requires blood in order for her
eggs to develop. It is only the female
who bites, injecting saliva into the
wound at the same time as she sucks the
blood out. It is the transfer of this
saliva that allows viruses to be
injected into the blood. Once she has
had her fill, she will find a resting
place to digest her meal before flying
off to deposit her eggs in a suitable
breeding habitat. Mosquitoes are
attracted to a host by a combination of
stimuli which include carbon dioxide,
body odours, air movement or
heat.
Life-Cycle
- Once
the larva hatch, they feed continuously
and moult four times as they grow.
Temperatures, food and other prevailing
conditions determine the development of
the larva (wrigglers), but this
generally takes about 2 weeks. The
final stage is when the larvae develops
into a pupa (a comma shaped tumbler).
Approximately 2 days from this point,
the adult mosquito emerges to begin a
new cycle.
- Most
female mosquitoes live for 2 to 3
weeks, while the male lifespan is
shorter. Mosquitoes vary in the
breeding habits and biting behaviour.
Some disperse only a few metres from
their original breeding place, others
travel less than 2 kilometres, while
there are some who will fly 5 to 10
kilometres downwind from the larval
habitats.
Mosquito
Bites
Whilst
only a few mosquitoes spread disease in
Australia, many people are allergic, or
sensitive to the saliva injected by the
mosquitoes. The symptoms of this
sensitivity include redness, swelling,
irritation at the puncture site.
Because of the itchiness caused by the
saliva, bites can be scratched and the
surface skin traumatised, which allows
bacteria and a secondary infection to
occur. This is especially so on the
lower limbs. Mosquito borne disease is
only able to be diagnosed by testing
the blood.
How
can I avoid Mosquito bites?
Mosquitoes
are a nuisance pest which bite more
frequently around dusk. Avoid being
outside during this time, or wear
clothing and shoes that cover your
arms, legs and feet. Light-coloured
clothing will also deter mosquitoes.
Appropriate use of personal mosquito
repellent is advised when outdoors.
Empty and remove all breeding sites,
including dead palm fronds and
containers. Clean gutters and put fine
mesh over the entry to rainwater tanks.
Ensure fly screens are in good order.
Sleeping under nets is advisable where
mosquitoes are a problem. Insecticide
sprays, coils and electric matts can
help.
Can
I rid my home of
Mosquitoes?
There
are various types of control for
mosquitoes which include larvicides to
kill the larva, or where disease is
prevalent, fogging to kill the adults
who may be carrying disease. Recently
developed chemicals allow a qualified
pes consultant to spray around your
home, both inside and out, with a
water-based chemical that will
effectively destroy 90% of mosquitoes
for a period of 6 weeks. Contact us for
further information.
Our 25
years' experience ... your peace of
mind
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Total
Pest Solutions
PO
Box 2083, South Plympton
South Australia. 5038.
Phone 1800 503 394
(08) 8297 4981
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