Australian summers are synonymous with mosquitoes out for blood.
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Many Shoalhaven residents have been complaining about the current swell in the mosquito population, keen to assault anyone who dares to reveal their flesh.
Mosquito researcher for NSW Health Pathology, Dr Cameron Webb, said the Shoalhaven was not the only area suffering a surge in mosquito abundance.
“Coastal areas along NSW will all be seeing a rise in mosquitoes, as the current populations are resulting from recent rains but, more importantly, tidal inundation of local wetlands from king tides over the Christmas holidays,” Dr Webb said.
While some mosquitoes are breeding in backyards, especially water filled bird baths, guttering, drains, and discarded containers around the home, Dr Webb said these were not the main offenders.
“It is the mosquitoes flying in from nearby wetlands that often overwhelm residents and holidaymakers in the Shoalhaven,” he said.
There are dozens of different mosquitoes found on the NSW South Coast, but the main pest mosquito is the saltmarsh mosquito – Aedes vigilax – that is closely associated with coastal wetlands.
“Mosquito eggs are laid around ponds in the wetlands and once flooded by tides or rainfall, they hatch and the immature stages (commonly known as wrigglers) swim about the ponds for about a week before emerging as adults,” Dr Webb said.
“These adult mosquitoes don’t live for long, only about two weeks, but they can be incredibly abundant and may fly many kilometres away from those wetlands.
“They are keen to bite people too! It is only the female mosquito that bites, she needs the energy boost that comes from blood to develop her eggs.”
Terara’s Kathy Sharpe is one resident who has fallen victim to the seemingly plague proportion of mosquitoes.
"Normally at Terara we seem to have either a bad fly summer or a bad mossie summer – this year, it's all about the mozzies,” she said.
“Everyone is talking about how bad they are.”
Ms Sharpe said a trip to The Grotto at North Nowra ahead of Christmas ended in misery.
"You could see clouds of them swarming around,” she said.
“I was going for a walk with my niece and we had to leave because they were eating us alive. In fact, we ran back to the car!
“They are quite savage."
Dr Webb offered his top tips to avoid the dreaded bite.
“Avoid being outdoors near wetlands and bushland areas at dawn and dusk as this is when mosquitoes are most active,” he said.
“Cover up with loose fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and shoes.
“Wearing topical insect repellent can provide excellent protection, just make sure you apply evenly to all exposed skin as that will ensure the longest pasting protection.”