The mosquito season in Brisbane has arrived early after recent rains and the City Council has begun spraying wetlands to stop them breeding.

The threat from mosquito borne viruses increases each year.

Amadee Stenzel reports.

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High tides and recent rain have worried the council.

The first aerial spraying of the season will target larvae hatching following tidal activity.

Salt marsh mosquitos are can survive months in the wetlands before hatching.

David McLachlan, Councillor: “They can sit there in the dry conditions for a considerable period of time and until there’s a rain event, until there’s high tide they’ll remain dormant.”

More than 1300 hectares will be sprayed this year, with experts saying there’ll be little or no impact on other insects or the environment.

Nudgee residents support the action.

Vox 1: “As much as we don’t want all these pesticides around the mozzies are hideous.”

Vox 2: “The less mosquitoes around the better.”

The top priority is stopping the spread of disease.

Last summer’s wet weather led to the worst outbreak of Ross River Virus in 20 years and health authorities are determined to contain it this year.

With an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, residents are being urged to play their part in controlling breeding areas around their homes.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “People can do a lot of things themselves. They can do the simple things like making sure they don’t have containers with water in them laying around the yard, making sure that they have water tanks covered, ensuring that they have trees trimmed. All of these things can be helpful.”

Amadee Stenzel, QUT News.