Prevent mosquito borne diseases
Mosquitoes in Queensland can carry serious diseases. You can catch these diseases if you are bitten by an infected mosquito.
There are simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
Cover up
Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear.
Apply insect repellent
Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin, preferably one that contains DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
When outdoors, use mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes. When indoors, use insecticide sprays or vapour dispensing units. Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label.
Protect children
Do not allow children under 5 years to apply repellent to themselves. Repellents should be applied to the hands of a carer first, and then applied evenly to the child's exposed skin. Repellent is not recommended for infants under the age of 3 months. Protect babies under 3 months with light-coloured clothing covering their arms, legs and feet and use mosquito nets to cover prams and cots.
Stop mosquitoes from getting inside
Cover doors and windows with insect screens. Make sure insect screens are in good condition with no visible damage. Use mosquito nets if doors and windows are not fitted with insect screens, particularly in sleeping areas.
Use mosquito-proof tents when camping.
Avoid mosquitoes when they are most active
Mosquito bites can be experienced at any time of day, but some species are most active at dusk and dawn.
Clean up around your home
Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by:
- regularly emptying and wiping out any items that hold water, such as buckets and old tyres
- ensuring rainwater tanks are sealed and inlet and outlet pipes are screened
- draining water from or filling in pools of water in the yard
- keeping your lawns mowed
- killing adult mosquitoes with flying insect and surface sprays. Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label.
The Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are the most common mosquito borne diseases in Queensland, but others include dengue, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE).
A free JEV vaccine is recommended for certain at risk people.
Infection with mosquito borne diseases may cause illness ranging from mild to very serious. Learn about how to recognise the symptoms of mosquito borne diseases and what to do if you think you are infected.