Councils help Fight the Bite

With this summer predicted to be one of the worst for mosquitoes, five local councils are joining forces to help South West residents Fight the Bite.

The new community awareness campaign was launched last week with Bunbury, Busselton, Dardanup, Capel and Harvey uniting to help reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne disease and prevent mosquito bites.

City of Bunbury health manager Sarah Upton said breeding sites affected by rainfall were being monitored and treated as required with one aerial treatment undertaken in Bunbury so far.

The Fight the Bite campaign follows predictions that mosquito numbers will likely increase as the weather warms up.

City of Busselton manager of health services Tanya Gillett said monitoring was showing rapidly increasing numbers of mosquito larvae in wetlands around the South West.

“We do need people to help us Fight the Bite — please protect yourself by wearing repellent, covering up with loose clothing and remove potential breeding sources around your home and property,” Mrs Gillett said.