It’s that time of the year again when there’s a familiar buzz in the air. Mosquitoes are increasingly on the loose, and in certain parts of Australia they can carry some serious viruses.

Fortunately, Council is again teaming up with NSW Health in an annual surveillance program which traps mosquitoes at key locations on the northern beaches to monitor their numbers and detect any viruses they may be carrying.

It is the fifth year Council has participated in the program. 

Council will begin weekly monitoring of viruses in mosquitoes from 4 December 2023 to April 2024 at locations along Narrabeen Lagoon and Warriewood wetlands.

While the good news is that no viruses such as Ross River fever or Barmah Forest fever were detected on the Northern Beaches last season, it always pays to remain vigilant and take precautions.

Residents can protect themselves from getting bitten by taking the following steps:

• Always wear long, loose-fitting clothing to minimise skin exposure
• Choose and apply a repellent that contains either Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Be aware of peak mosquito times at dawn and dusk
• Keep your yard free of standing water like containers, birdbaths, kids toys, and pot plant trays where the mosquitos can breed.

Visit NSW Health for more tips on how to control mosquitoes around the home.

For more information on what Council is doing to reduce the risk of mosquitoes you can view the Northern Beaches Council Mosquito Management Plan