COUNCIL will close some of its walking tracks on Friday to conduct mosquito spraying, after heavy rain earlier in the week at breeding sites.
Tracks at Wellington Point and Victoria Point will be closed on Friday morning as aerial treatments are conducted.
Mayor Karen Williams said the larger additional treatment will target both freshwater and saltwater areas.
"A number of freshwater mosquito breeding sites have been inundated, particularly around Wellington Point, Victoria Point and Mount Cotton, causing mosquito larvae to breed in these areas," she said.
"Council's pest management team decided to conduct the aerial treatment to target the mosquito larvae in these areas ahead of the Australia Day weekend.
"This is the first time council has closed walking tracks to undertake mosquito spraying, but it was considered advisable due to the extent of the treatment."
Cr Williams said there was no danger to people, animals or the environment because of the treatment.
Spraying would be conducted with methoprene, a product which killed only mosquito larvae.
It will encompass more than 100 hectares of additional freshwater breeding sites and is expected to occur between 8am and 12pm on Friday, weather permitting.
Walking tracks to close during this time are at
- Geoff Skinner Wetlands Reserve, Bligh Street, Wellington Point
- Point Halloran Conservation Reserve, boardwalk entry at School Road and Orana Street Victoria Point.
Signs have been placed in these areas, and the tracks will reopen as soon as the aerial treatment has been completed.
Regional mosquito management group chairman Paul Golle said while council would continue to conduct ground and aerial treatments to manage mosquito numbers, it was also important for residents to take a proactive approach and check their backyards for possible breeding sites.
"Mosquitoes can be found breeding even in small amounts of water so residents are encouraged to empty pooling water from items around the yard such as pot plant bases, blocked roof gutters, bird baths, sagging tarps or covers and old tyres," Cr Golle said.
"People can protect themselves by using insect repellents, maintaining fly screens on windows and doors, and using mosquito coils or plug-in insecticide burners."
