Melbourne’s mosquito outbreak has hit hard in Hume and the Macedon Ranges, forcing farmers off tractors and sending residents running for cover.
A dark, buzzing cloud swarmed on Mount Macedon last week – a sure sign of a wet spring – driving residents indoors just as the weather warmed up.
Macedon resident Dominic Romeo, who has lived locally for more than 16 years, says the problem seems much worse than other years.
“It’s definitely more noticeable in the morning when the sun comes out,” Mr Romeo said.
“With all the moisture from all the rain that we’ve had around these parts, it’s just made them breed and multiply.
“There are certainly more of them coming inside – the garden is just full of them.”
During September, 150mm of rain fell in 16 days and more than 200mm for the month, creating ideal breeding conditions for the biting beasts. Hume council is encouraging residents to prepare their homes and protect themselves. Chief executive Domenic Isola said an excessive amount of rain, combined with a lack of sunshine, had left pools of water everywhere where mosquitoes breed.
“Following recent flooding events across Victoria, it is likely that mosquito populations will increase significantly, and remain high through most of the summer in Hume and across the state,” Mr Isola said.
“Residents can help address this issue by taking simple steps, such as removing [open] containers from yards, fixing leaky taps and keeping pools chlorinated or salted throughout mozzie season.”
The Victorian government’s online Beat the Bite campaign also advises people to clean up any stagnant water around their homes, change pet’s drinking water, bird baths and vases at least once a week, and maintain flywire screens to ensure there are no holes for mosquitoes to get inside. Other tips are to wear loose-fitting clothing outdoors, and use mosquito repellent.
More tips: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
