A BIRKDALE resident has demanded Redland City Council spray for sand flies, saying the biting creatures are in plaque proportions and have made her life a misery.
Danielle McGuckin said she would move from the Redlands because council refused to spray the creatures which forced she and her family to coat themselves in pesticide whenever they went out.
A council spokesperson said the authority was not permitted by law to spray insecticides in the mainly natural coastal habitats where biting midges bred.
She said council spent $850,000 annually on a year-round mosquito control program but not on midges for which there were no approved chemical.
“Chemical sprays for adult biting midges, if used, would harm insects and creatures that are important to our ecosystem, including butterflies and bees,’' she said.
“It is also important to note biting midge larvae live in mud and wet soils in tidal zones, which would make it extremely difficult to access, even if there was an approved treatment.’’
Ms McGuckin said she had been a Redlands resident for 27 years and had paid her rates. “Now, however, we have to move away from our beloved Redlands, as council refuses to spray for sand flies…,’’ she said.
“It has recently worsened to the point that we have to close our windows and doors as fly screens do not prevent the sand flies entry into the house.
“My husband and nieces are allergic to sand flies and come up in welts, sometimes requiring antibiotic interventions.
“...Is there no responsibility of our council to protect our health and living conditions when they were the ones who approved people living in these area so sorely affected?’’
Midge populations peak during breeding season between spring and autumn, with residents also complaining about them being in large numbers at Victoria Point, Ormiston, Cleveland, Thornlands and Alexandra Hills.
Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, which runs a medical entomology department, says there are no known efficient methods of controlling biting midges.
Brisbane and Gold Coast city councils also say there are no chemicals available or registered in Australia to control midge larvae.
The Redland spokeswoman said midges predominately bred in coastal habitats like mangroves that were protected.
“Council is not permitted to spray insecticides in these areas,’’ she said. “Chemical sprays for adult biting midges, if used, would harm insects and creatures that are important to our ecosystem, like bees, butterflies and moths.
“Biting midges contribute to biodiversity and are a food source for many aquatic organisms.’’
“We can't control biting midges (but) we encourage all residents to take measures to protect themselves from biting midges during the peak breeding season from spring to autumn.’’
Biting midges are small, biting flies (1-2mm long) that are difficult to see. Bites can cause a range of reactions including skin redness, itching, inflammation and blistering.
While they are a nuisance, biting midges do not transmit diseases.
If biting midges are a problem in your area:
# avoid being outdoors during dawn and dusk
# use insect repellents (DEET or picaridin-based are most effective)
# wear clothing that is long, loose-fitting and light in colour
# treat normal flyscreens with UV stable insecticide surface spray
# maintain fine-mesh flyscreens on windows and doors of your house
# use insect spray, mosquito coils or plug-in insecticide burners
# increase air flow inside your dwelling by using fans or other air circulation devices
# keep vegetation surrounding the house to a minimum to reduce insect-harbouring areas and increase air flow around the house.
