The Vector Control Unit monitors and controls mosquitoes, biting midges (sandflies), flies and rats. All of these pests have the potential to transmit disease to humans and are termed vector agents.

Vector Management Plan 2010 - 2014

Vermin (Rats)

Rats may represent a public health risk. Under the Public Health Act 2005 residents are responsible for the control of rats on their properties. Rats are likely to harbour and breed in litter and debris; residents can therefore discourage vermin harbourage by keeping their properties tidy and free from litter and debris. 

When there is a public health risk caused by rats, Council is responsible for administering and enforcing the Public Health Act 2005 in order to remove the risk. A Public Health Order may be issued to the owner/occupier of the premises requiring them to eliminate the vermin harbourage to Council’s satisfaction within a certain period of time. If the owner/occupier does not comply with the Public Health Order, Council may then apply to the Court for an Enforcement Order to have the work undertaken at the owner’s/occupier’s expense.

Rat bait is available free of charge to Rockhampton Regional Council residents at all Customer Service Centres. Please note that one packet of bait per household is available on request. Should a household require another packet of bait, a second packet will be available on request. The second packet, in order to be effective, should be used no more than three weeks after the first packet. 

Should a potential vermin harbourage situation be suspected, residents may contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77. Council’s Vector Control Unit will investigate potential harbourage/breeding sites and take steps to remove the public health risk.

Mosquitoes

Rockhampton Regional Council is committed to reducing the risk mosquitoes pose to our community. 

Council’s Vector Control Unit has programs in place to control mosquitoes throughout the year. Council officers involved in vector management are responsible for:

• Undertaking routine checks on urban and rural breeding sites
• Treating mosquito breeding sites where appropriate
• Misting of adult mosquitoes when deemed necessary
• Providing education to the public on other pests 

Council also relies on residents to control mosquitoes around their homes.

There are more than 20 common species of mosquito in the Rockhampton region, some of which are capable of transmitting diseases to humans. These diseases include:

• Ross River fever
• Barmah Forest virus
• Dengue fever

Heartworm in dogs is also transmitted by mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can potentially breed in any fresh (polluted and unpolluted), brackish or salt water. This includes stagnant pools, ponds, drains, channels and other vessels (e.g. pots, containers) which hold water.

Rural and Urban Mosquito Control Programs

Rural and urban salt marsh and fresh water areas in the Rockhampton Regional Council area are monitored for the presence of mosquito larvae by water sampling. A secondary method of monitoring is light trapping, which provides data on adult mosquitoes. When sampling reveals an unacceptable larva or adult count, treatment is undertaken.

Both the salt marsh mosquito Ochlerotatus vigilax and the fresh water mosquito Culex annulirostris are vectors of Ross River fever and Barmah Forest virus. The larvae of these species, as well as the larvae of other non-vector (nuisance) mosquito species are treated with either Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) or S-methoprene. BTI, a biological control agent, kills mosquito larvae when ingested between the first and third larval instar (moult), whilst S-methoprene, a growth regulator, prevents larvae from completing their development to adult mosquitoes. Both of these products are extremely safe, environmentally-friendly, target mosquito larvae only and do not stay long in the environment.

Rural salt marsh areas within the Rockhampton Regional Council area are treated with either aerial application of BTI or ground-based application of S-methoprene or BTI. Treatments are usually undertaken after high tide events or sufficient rainfall.

Urban salt marsh and urban fresh water areas within the major settlements in the region may be treated manually with S-methoprene. Urban fresh water bodies either in the form of permanent water bodies (such as lagoons) or semi-permanent water bodies which fill during rainfall events may provide breeding sites for both vector and nuisance mosquitoes.

Depending upon water sampling results, a proactive misting program may also be undertaken in urban areas adjacent to salt marsh and fresh water breeding sites. Also depending upon the results of water sampling, the community may be informed of the pending emergence of large numbers of mosquitoes. 

Aedes aegypti Property Inspections

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is a vector for dengue fever. This species commonly breeds in artificial and natural containers. Examples of artificial containers would include pot plants, saucers and tyres; natural containers would include bromeliads, tree axils and discarded palm fronds. Council’s Vector Control Unit regularly inspects properties in the region for the purpose of identifying Aedes aegypti and informing the public on how to control this species. If Aedes aegypti is identified on private property Council has the ability to instruct the property owner/tenant to undertake control. Although dengue fever has not been diagnosed in large numbers in Central Queensland, Aedes aegypti has been found in the Rockhampton Regional Council area. 

As Council does not treat individual homes, it is important that residents reduce the number of mosquitoes and potential mosquito breeding sites by:

• Removing water and wiping containers, such as pot plant saucers and animals’ water containers, with a clean cloth every four days. Put the used cloth into the rubbish.
• Filling pot plant bases with sand or pebbles.
• Removing containers that could hold water – e.g. tyres.
• Keeping gutters clean and in good repair to prevent the pooling of water.
• Keeping ponds stocked with fish.
• Ensuring swimming pools are effectively chlorinated.
• Capping brick walls made of Besser and other cavity bricks to prevent water pooling.
• Overturning boats, canoes and dinghies or have drain plugs removed to avoid holding water. 

Residents can reduce the risk of disease from mosquitoes further by:

• Wearing light-coloured protective clothing – e.g. loose-fitting long sleeve shirts and pants.
• Limiting the time spent outdoors around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Using mosquito nets, mosquito coils, personal repellents and ceiling fans.
• Screening windows and doors. 

Mosquitoes And The Law

Mosquitoes may represent a public health risk. Under the Public Health Act 2005 residents are responsible for the control of mosquitoes on their properties.

When there is a public health risk caused by mosquitoes, Council is responsible for administering and enforcing the Public Health Act 2005 in order to remove the risk. A Public Health Order may be issued to the owner/occupier of the premises requiring them to eliminate the mosquito harbourage to Council’s satisfaction within a certain period of time. If the owner/occupier does not comply with the Public Health Order, Council may then apply to the Court for an Enforcement Order to have the work undertaken at the owner’s/occupier’s expense.

Misting

Rockhampton Regional Council customers may request misting of their area if mosquitoes are deemed problematic. Misting involves the use of a synthetic pyrethroid which is registered for the control of mosquitoes in the community. Misting occurs from the back of a vehicle usually at dawn or dusk. Customers should note that misting should be undertaken only as a last resort, and with the following facts in mind:

• Synthetic pyrethroid is not discriminatory – it kills all insects with which it comes into contact, not just mosquitoes, and
• Misting is a very temporary treatment as it kills only the adult mosquitoes present on the day of misting. 

What you can do to protect yourself, your family and your pets:

• Screen all windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes coming inside;
• While outside wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing;
• Use insect repellent;
• If you live in an unscreened house or are camping, sleep under a mosquito net;
• Air conditioning, fans and mosquito coils are also effective in protecting you from mosquitoes.

Residents can play a vital role in reducing mosquitoes around the home. Inspect your house and yard and remove any accumulation of water:

• Empty pot plant bases weekly or fill the base with sand to absorb water;
• Wash out bromeliads and other water-holding plants weekly;
• Clean out roof gutters regularly and trim back trees which can block gutters;
• Ensure rainwater tanks are screened;
• Maintain swimming pools
• Wash out birdbaths, fishponds and ornamental pools weekly and where possible stock with suitable native fish.

Further Information and Concerns about Mosquitoes

For further information, or to make a complaint about mosquitoes, including suspected harbourage of mosquitoes please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77