Aussies warned BRACE FOR BUMPER MOZIE SEASON

EXPERTS PREDICT HEAVY RAINFALL COULD BRING AN EXPLOSION OF MOSQUITOES

- Courtney Greatrex

Aussies have battled through bushfires, a pandemic, and flooding in recent years. Now, a new threat is looming – mosquitoes.

With the La Niña weather system bringing record rainfall, the eastern seaboard has become a breeding ground for the unwanted insects and their fatal diseases. It’s left health experts nation-wide grappling with how to stop the uncontrollable spread of the pests.

Cameron Webb, associate professor and entomologist for NSW Health Pathology, has spent the past 25 years trying to understand how to control the buzzing bugs and manage the public health risk of mosquitoes in urban areas of Australia. He warns that this summer is going to be a bad one.

“Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle,” Cameron tells New Idea. “The more water there is, the more opportunity for mosquito breeding.

“As we head into our third summer of the La Niña weather pattern, we can expect lots more rain.

“If you like bushwalking, fishing or even gardening, then you’re going to be pestered a lot.”

But mozzies are more than just a nuisance-they can be deadly.