The City of Greater Geelong has reassured residents that its soon to begin mosquito management program has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Mosquitoes in the Greater Geelong region are known to carry Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis, which can cause severe illness and long-term side effects.
To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness, the City will begin aerial treatments by drone at the region’s Ramsar wetlands, including Port Phillip Bay (western shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula sites. Swan Bay, Lake Connewarre and Lake Victoria are part of the wetlands.
The City said its program only uses solid form Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and s-Methoprene products that have been approved by APVMA. It said it doesn’t spray or use broad based pesticides in the aerial treatment by drone program.
Environment & circular economy portfolio chair Elise Wilkinson said the community can help to prevent high mosquito numbers.
“Inspect your property for water that is still, such as bird baths, pet water dishes and troughs, and ensure they are either emptied of water weekly or removed,” she said.
“Make sure to keep roof gutters free of debris, maintain lawns and gardens to remove shelter for mosquitoes and overturn boats or remove their drain plugs.
“We can protect ourselves from mosquito bites by wearing light coloured clothing, using effective repellents with DEET or Picaridin and avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk where possible.
“Also, if you see our mosquito management team members operating a drone or applying ground treatments, please don’t approach them, for your safety and theirs.”
In April this year, the City received a seven-year permit from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to conduct mosquito management in known breeding sites in wetlands, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Ground treatments will continue to be applied in other areas, including Corio, Connewarre, Geelong Botanic Gardens, Lara, Point Lonsdale, St Leonards and Wallington.
