The Department of Health (DoH) is warning Top End residents to expect another wave of salt marsh mosquitoes by the end of next week, with the highest tides of the year triggering extensive breeding across the Territory coast.

Salt marsh mosquitoes can carry the Barmah Forest and Ross River viruses. Top End residents need to protect themselves from bites by covering up, using repellents and staying indoors when mosquito numbers are high.

Director of Medical Entomology Ms Nina Kurucz warned “by the end of next week, mosquito numbers are expected to again appear in extremely high numbers, with a huge influx of mosquitoes from outside the control area expected to affect NT coastal areas, including the northern Darwin suburbs, Palmerston and rural areas for about 14 days, starting on 5 November.”

The latest warning follows the high number of salt marsh mosquitos earlier this month, caused by a high tide in late September.

“In early October, our monitoring traps showed that mosquito numbers were among the highest on record and people in Darwin, Palmerston and rural areas felt the impact,” Ms Kurucz said.

“These mosquitoes would have laid large numbers of eggs, which will all hatch simultaneously. In October alone, DoH has controlled 298 hectares of salt marsh mosquito breeding, and we are expecting to control a large area again this Friday and Saturday,” Ms Kurucz explains.

The Department of Health is undertaking large-scale aerial control in saltmarsh areas nearest to residents including the Leanyer, Holmes Jungle, Micket Creek and Shoal Bay swamps. Ground-based control is also carried out by DoH and Parks and Wildlife in Darwin coastal suburbs, including Casuarina Coastal Reserve, the Botanic Gardens and Charles Darwin National Park.

Until the monsoon arrives, high numbers of salt marsh mosquitoes can be expected in coastal areas 9 days after high tides and extensive rain.

People in the Top End experiencing mosquito pest problems are advised to:

• avoid locations near coastal swamps and mangrove areas
• avoid outdoor exposure around dusk and at night near areas of dense vegetation and other areas of high mosquito activity
• use mosquito-proof accommodation and camping facilities at night
• wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks between dusk and dawn in areas where mosquito bites are likely
• use a protective repellent containing 20 per cent DEET or Picaridin as a supplement to protective clothing, with creams providing best protection
• use mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns, and barrier sprays containing bifenthrin in patio and outdoor areas near houses
• ensure children and animals are adequately protected against mosquito bites.

 A salt marsh mosquito pest calendar is available on the DoH website: Pest calendar