The South Coast and Shoalhaven, like most of the state, has experienced an increase in the pesky little insects this season.
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Dr Cameron Webb, of the University of Sydney, said an earlier warm season and early summer rains had led to the increase across NSW.
“The South Coast has experienced an increase. It is certainly not as much as northern NSW and southern Queensland coasts due to the recent cyclonic conditions they have experienced, but there is definitely an increase,” he said.
“The season has been bad for a lot of areas, particularly on the coast.
“The most recent increase around coastal areas is primarily due to tides flooding the wetlands, combined with recent rains filling backyard habitats with water.
“This season has been worse than previous years mainly due to an earlier start to the season thanks to the warmer, near record temperatures, and a lot of rain in early summer.”
Dr Webb said most areas should see a decline in mosquito numbers towards the end of March as the cooler weather approaches but warned people not to let their guard down as the risk of a mosquito borne diseases, such as Ross River virus, is actually higher than in summer.
“The risks are higher because the viruses are circulated more widely between the animals that carry the virus,” he said.
“Mosquitoes don’t emerge from wetlands infected with the virus, they have to bite an animal first, something like a kangaroo or wallaby that carries it, and they then pass the virus on to people.
“Ross River Virus seems to be the most common virus and affects around 5000 people across the country.
“At the moment we are seeing significant cases across far northern NSW but have had no reports for the South Coats but people shouldn’t be complacent.
“People should still take precautions to try and avoid being bitten.
“The area is still getting a bit of rain on the floodplain and the mosquitoes are breeding in the river’s many little tributaries.”
To try to avoid those annoyingly itchy bites, Dr Webb suggests using a repellent that contains Deet or Picaridin, which are the main ingredients in most commercial formulas.
“And when you use it, cover all exposed areas of skin, don’t just dab it here and there, that won’t provide adequate protection,” he said.
Dr Webb said traditionally Anzac Day marked the end of the mosquito season in NSW and the cooler temperatures on the South Coast from the end of March should see decline in numbers.
