Mosquitoes are native insects which breed in salt, brackish or fresh waters and have been identified as being a major and significant threat to both human health and lifestyle throughout the world for many years. This has become prominent in Australia as a result of the climate, and the great outdoors that many Australians love. More than 220 mosquito species can be found in Queensland and a substantial number of these have been implicated as vectors of some human diseases. Some of these diseases include Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Dengue Fever and Malaria.
Mosquitoes require water in which to breed. Females lay eggs on the surface of the water or the water’s edge. The eggs then hatch into Larvae (wrigglers), which live under the surface of still water and breathe air through the surface. The Larvae go through four (4) stages before becoming Pupae (tumblers), which again live under water, emerging from the water soon after as an adult.