Ballina council is calling in an expert to hunt for some ladies – Medical Entomologist Dr Cameron Webb will visit the area next week in search of blood sucking girls.
Only female mosquitoes bite as blood is essential for them to lay eggs.
As more people are living and visiting coastal regions, the impact of mosquitoes is being carefully considered by local authorities.
Dr Webb says that mosquitoes are a natural part of coastal wetlands. ‘There are dozens of different species but only a few pose serious health concerns,’ he said. ‘Some are actually useful to the local environment, they’re food for birds, bats, fish, and frogs but when mozzies are abundant, they can be a serious problem for residents and holiday makers to the region.’
Ballina Shire Council has engaged Dr Webb to collaborate with their Public and Environmental Health Team to review and update the mosquito management provisions in Chapter 2 of the Ballina Shire Development Control Plan.
Dr Webb will visit the shire next week to study local mosquitoes and their habitats. The up-to-date information he expects to gather will assist Council’s current mosquito management options for new urban developments.
This review will ensure Council’s mosquito management program is informed by best practice and leading science to minimise pest and public health risks associated with mosquitoes. Importantly, the review will provide guidance for Council Officers, planning consultants, entomologists and landscape architects on how the requirements can be met to achieve the best outcomes for the community.
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