Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas of Australia, and it may be worth checking on the area you intend to go to, if you feel it may be a problem for you.

The Department of Medical Entomology at the University of Sydney has an interesting fact sheet on Mosquitoes of Australia Source

This suggestion to control Mosquitoes was obtained from Logan City Council

Residents can take steps to help control the number of mosquitoes. This can be achieved by reducing potential breeding sites within their properties by:
• keeping gutters clean;
• filling pot plant bases with sand;
• removing tyres, containers and other items in the yard which could hold water;
• chlorinating swimming pools;
• keeping ponds and dams stocked with fish.
Residents can further protect themselves and their families from the risk of disease by:
• wearing light-coloured, loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside;
• using a mosquito repellent when outside;
• avoiding spending time outside during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active;
• screening windows and doors;
• using other items such as plug-in mosquito repellers, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and mosquito coils.

Mosquito Repellants

Burning a couple of Mozzie Coils, or sandlewood sticks, on the patio can assist in keeping the mozzies away. These can burn for about 4-6 hours, and give of an aroma that mosquitoes prefer to avoid.
Sandlewood sticks give of a nicer smell than the normal mozzie coil, but also cost a little more.

One mozzie coil on the floor near the feet will protect the ankles from bites, and one on the table or similar, at body height, should protect above the waist.

These are the cheaper options, but you can also buy special table candle lights that also give off a protective aroma, and look and smell much better.

Sometimes, when we have a number of guests around, I will light up 5 or 6 coils, and create a barrier all around the large patio area, which works extremely well.
Some say it is overkill, but for a total of 50-60 cents I feel it well worth while.

Personal Repellants

There are many types of spray on or rub on mozzie repellants on the market.
One of the strongest is called Bushmans Click here for link and contains 80% DEET. It is stated that one application can last for 15 hours, as is recommended for areas of Intense insect activity.

Other standard use products include Aeroguard, Rid, Off, and various other brand names.


Natural Personal Body Mozzie Repellant

10 drops of Lavender Oil
1 Teaspoon methylated spirits
3/4 of a cup of water

Use in a small spray bottle.

Increase the lavender oil if required (for people who are more prone to mozzies bites), maybe an extra 10-15 drops.

Pure lavender oil, applied to a bite does help to relieve the itching for some people.




Natural Mosquito Spray

100 gram unpeeled garlic cloves
50 millilitres of canola or sunflower oil
Put both in a glass jar and seal

Leave for 24 hours to infuse

Strain, and add the resulting liquid 5 parts water to each 1 part of liquid.
Add 1 teaspoon of methylated spirits to each half litre of the above.

Store in glass bottle with NON metallic lid

Use as required in a plastic spray bottle, with fine mist spray head.

Spray around the room to kill off any mozzies.

Plants that Mosquitoes do not like

• Citronella Scented Geraniums
  
• Cedronella

Electronic Bug Zappers

The Bantix Mosquito Slayer Trap
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This system connects to normal mains power through a 12-volt transformer (included free). A CO2 cylinder, (supplied separately) links to the trap via a 5-metre (16'), industrial-strength, low-pressure gas line. The Australian designed trap reduces mosquitoes and midges/sand flies breeding around your home, workplace or where animals are kept, by breaking the breeding cycle before the adult females lay their eggs.


The Yard Guard

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Ideal for killing of these pests in the average garden.
Available in most hardware stores, Kmart, Target, Big W etc.


The BugVac

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This one attracts the mozzies etc, and then blows them into a small water bowl and drowns them.
Set it at the back of the garden facing the patio, and it also gives nice blue light at the end of the garden, and attracts the mozzies away from the Patio.
Available at Bunnings and probably other places. $89 to $99