Mosquito inspection program starts February 27

Toowoomba Regional Council next week starts a selective inspection program to check for potential mosquito breeding areas and to advise property owners on how to eradicate problem sites.

The three-month program starts at selected city and regional sites from Monday, February 27.

Council officers will inspect residential and commercial properties in the chosen areas to check for potential mosquito breeding areas.

Council's Environmental and Community Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Cahill said the recent rain provided ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

He said mosquitoes not only inflicted a nasty sting but could carry serious diseases including Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and Dengue fever.  Mosquitoes can cause heartworm in dogs.

"Residents can reduce mosquito breeding by emptying any containers or items holding water," he said.

"Mosquitoes can quickly invade containers such as pet and poultry drinking bowls, buckets and children's wading pools, fishponds without fish, birdbaths, blocked gutters, pot plants, tyres and water tanks with damaged or missing gauze.

"Residents need to prevent water accumulating in containers, blocked drains and guttering around the home. Regularly emptying and cleaning water bowls and containers and maintaining gutters and gauze on rainwater tanks will ensure mosquito breeding is minimised."

Clearing overgrown vegetation and long grass can also help to minimize resting places for mosquitoes from around your home and reduce nuisance biting.

Cr Cahill said personal protection is important to reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.

Simple preventative measures include:

• staying inside during early morning and early evening,
• using insect repellent outdoors,
• wearing long, loose, light-coloured protective clothing outdoors, and
• screening home/office windows.

Inspections will be held in parts of Newtown, Wilsonton, East, South and North Toowoomba, Highfields, Crows Nest and Yarraman.

The program proceeds in the following areas:

• Newtown (selected residential properties within Taylor Street, Nathan Street, Weetwood Street, the Toowoomba Racecourse and Barter Lane)
• Wilsonton (selected residential properties within Cessna Street, McCafferty Street, Lacaze Street and Boyd Street)
• East Toowoomba (selected residential properties within Margaret Street, Mackenzie Street, Arthur Street and Curzon Street)
• South Toowoomba (selected residential properties within Long Street, Geddes Street, Tolmie Street and Ramsay Street)
• North Toowoomba (selected residential properties within Bridge Street, Sir Street, Gentle Street and Edward Street)
• Highfields (selected residential properties in an area bordered by New England Highway, Highfields Road, Kuhls Road West, Rainbow Road, Sunray Drive, Maylen Court, Forest Road, Lacinda Avenue and Gladswood Drive)
• Crows Nest (selected residential properties in an area bordered by the Crows Nest Golf Course, Nolan Street, Grace Street, Sharp Street, Thallon Street and Park Road)
• Yarraman (selected residential properties in an area bordered by Barr Smith Street, Toomey Street, Davies Street and Watson Street).