Cover up, repel, eliminate from mosquitoes

There is currently a higher risk of mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses in South Australia, particularly in regions along the River Murray. A sentinel chicken based at Meningie has tested positive for Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses. View the 13 January 2021 public health alert for further information and avoid mosquito bites.

Cover up

Wear long, loose fitting, light coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing like jeans.

Repel with repellent

  • When outdoors, apply insect repellent containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) or picaridin and always follow instructions on the label
  • mosquito coils can help protect from mosquitoes when outside but always follow instructions on the label

Eliminate with household protection

Simple changes around the home can help to reduce or eliminate mosquitoes.

Stop mosquitoes coming indoors

  • Place mosquito-proof mesh on doors and windows
  • cover your sleeping areas with mosquito nets if you don’t have insect screens
  • aerosol knockdown or surface insect sprays can help control mosquitoes inside the home but always follow instructions on the label.

Stop mosquitoes breeding

Mosquitoes breed in still water, fresh or salty, and often in puddles and containers.

  • Cover rainwater tanks, septic tank openings, wells or other large water containers with mosquito-proof mesh
  • maintain roof gutters and remove leaves and debris so that pools of water do not form
  • keep edges of dams clear of vegetation
  • empty and refill bird baths, stock troughs and pets’ drinking water containers at least once a week
  • maintain and disinfect swimming pools
  • empty wading pools at the end of each day
  • ornamental ponds, unused swimming pools or other water bodies should be either emptied or stocked with small Australian native fish to eat any mosquito larvae ('wrigglers').

Water conservation, collection or storage

Mosquitoes can also breed in containers or tanks used to store stormwater, greywater and rainwater.

  • Containers should be emptied, fitted with a well sealing lid, or openings covered with mosquito-proof mesh
  • if mosquito larvae ('wrigglers') are present then screen or close-off the point of entry
  • do not allow water to pool in containers below the outlets or taps.

As a last resort, rainwater tanks can be treated by adding a small amount of liquid paraffin or domestic kerosene. Do not apply kerosene if water levels are low.

Add 5ml of kerosene or one teaspoon for a 1 kilolitre tank – up to 15ml or 3 teaspoons for a 10 kilolitre tank. When using paraffin, double the dose.

Consult your rainwater tank manufacturer about whether kerosene can be used. Commercial or industrial kerosenes, such as power kerosene for tractors, should not be used in rainwater tanks.