Mosquitoes

Warm weather in the summer months bring more mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes can carry diseases that can transmit to humans when they bite.

The most common disease mosquitos in the Loddon Mallee region carry is Ross River Virus, which most people recover from completely within three to six months. There are other potentially serious infections that have been reported in Victoria and other south-eastern Australian states. This includes Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE). JE is currently the only mosquito disease of concern in the Loddon Mallee region we have a vaccine for.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe this summer.

Prepare your home:

• Clean stagnant water around your home (even very small pools of water) where mosquitoes can breed.
• Empty and replace water in bird baths, pet drinking bowls, and water features at least once a week.
• Cut long grass, shrubs, and bushes.
• Keep your gutters and swimming pools clean.
• Check water tanks are sealed and fitted with mosquito-proof screens and/or flap valves on every opening including overflows.
• Maintaining fly screens on windows, doors, vents, and chimneys.
• Using insect surface sprays both inside and outside the house to kill mosquitoes.

Protect yourself from being bitten:

• Use mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridin on all exposed skin. Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes as well as shoes with socks. Note: mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing.
• Try to limit outdoor activity during the evening when mosquitos are more active.
• If on holiday, making sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.

Get the JE vaccine if you:

Live or work (including seasonal workers) in the high-risk local government areas (LGAs) and regularly spend time in the outdoors, you are likely eligible for the JE vaccine. In the Loddon Mallee, this includes:

• Bendigo
• Buloke
• Campaspe
• Gannawarra
• Loddon
• Mildura
• Swan Hill

From Friday, 1 November 2024 the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination program has been be expanded to include four additional local government areas (LGAs): Alpine, Macedon Ranges, Mansfieldand Mitchell.

Speak to your doctor about the JE vaccine. See the table below for where you can get the JE vaccine if you are eligible.

Note: this list is not exhaustive and local supply may change. Please call ahead to check availability and make a booking where necessary.

More information on mosquito repellents: 

There are different types of mosquito repellents available but the most effective are those containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil.

Repellent should be applied as a thin layer evenly to all exposed areas of skin and rubbed in. When using sunscreen as well, use sunscreen first, and then apply the repellent. Mosquito repellent does need to be reapplied – check the product instructions for how frequently this should happen as it depends on the strength of the repellent. If you’re sweating a lot or swimming, you will need to reapply more frequently.

Repellents containing citronella or tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil have not been shown to provide effective protection.

Wearable repellents (patches / wrist bands) and ultrasonic devices have also not been shown to provide effective protection from mosquitoes.

Links for further information:

Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease - Better Health Channel

Mosquitoes - protect your home checklist - Better Health Channel

Mosquitoes - mozzie-proof your holiday checklist - Better Health Channel

Japanese encephalitis virus (health.vic.gov.au)

Resources