By BRIDGET COOK
RESIDENTS in Casey’s mosquito prone coastal villages have been given a number of tips to help swap the mozzie problem this summer.
Australia’s Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife has encouraged people to make a few small changes around their properties to stop mozzies before they become a worry.
The foundation’s chief executive Susanna Bradshaw said to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes around a home, residents need to know a little bit about their life cycle.
“Not all mosquitoes will bite you,” she said.
“In fact, only a female mosquito will bite you, and she does so during her short two to three week life in order to gain the protein she needs for egg development.
“As well as blood, she also feeds on nectar and plant fluids, which is all that the male mosquito feeds on.
“Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in still or shallow water, often in a shaded area.
“Many mosquitoes don’t travel very far from where they were born, so you can reduce the mosquito numbers around your place by ensuring that you don’t have still water sitting around.”
Ms Bradshaw said another way to get rid of mozzies is to make your garden friendly for mosquito-eaters.
“Mosquitoes are a food source for many other buddies,” she said.
“A backyard pond is great for frogs, their tadpoles and native fish – all of which are natural predators of mosquitoes and their aquatic larvae.
“Aquatic dragonfly babies, called nymphs, also help control mosquito numbers by eating mosquito larvae underwater.
“Avoid adding non-native fish like gambusias or goldfish to your fishpond.
“Microbats are also fantastic mosquito predators.
“To attract microbats to your backyard, install a microbat nestbox to provide a lovely home to these efficient insect-eaters.
“Finally, to reduce mosquito numbers a simple thing to do is let spiders and their webs be.”
For more information visit www.backyardbuddies.net.au.
