Bite back and stop mozzies ruining summer parties

Thanks to all the wild weather, bringing huge amounts of wind and rain to many of us, there are more opportunities for the dreaded bugs to breed, according to QUT environmental health expert Doctor Thomas Tenkate.

"For mosquitoes to breed, they need hot weather and water, so with the fact that we have had quite a bit of rain recently, people need to be on the lookout for areas around their home where water is collecting so they can ensure they tip water out," he said.

"Otherwise, people could find themselves breeding their own mosquitoes."

Dr Tenkate, who has studied mosquitoes for a number of years, said the recent weather conditions combined with the coming hot summer are a recipe for creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

"I know in my area there are a lot of trees down, people may have branches down on their properties, and leaves have blown into gutters, which traps water, so people should take care to clear their property and clean out their gutters," he said.

"Mosquitoes also lay their eggs either on the surface of the water or on the edges of water containers, so as well as tipping out the water, the areas surrounding it should be wiped, because even though people may not be able to see the eggs, they might still be there."

He said people should see clearing water and surrounding areas as "another summer job", to ensure outdoor holiday get-togethers are not affected by the familiar irritants.

"It is about being aware, because mosquitoes are most active at dawn or dusk, which corresponds to when we have our evening barbecue," he said.

"It's not rocket science, but it is certainly something people should always be aware of, particularly this year, when we have had some pretty extreme weather."

Media contact: Sharon Thompson, QUT media officer - 3138 4494 or sharon.thompson@qut.edu.au
**Hi-res pic available for media