Mossie bites on the rise

AN AERIAL onslaught of flying biting insects is affecting Cairns suburbs, as experts reveal a counterintuitive environmental factor contributing to the recent itchathon.

Fortunately, the mosquitoborne virus Ross River fever is unlikely to be present at this time of the year but concerns have been raised about a surge in backyard Asian honey bee infestations.

James Cook University adjunct professor of medical entomology Scott Ritchie said the creature most likely responsible for a recent spike in bites was the saltmarsh mosquito.

“We have had a series of big tides and they hatch in response to big king tides,” he said.

“They come in the evening and come in numbers. They are dark (in colour) and because we have not had much rain they’re out in numbers.

“I think the issue for Aeroglen and Stratford is we have had northwest winds that blow them into the hill from those mangrove swamps down by the airport. These mosquitoes can fly quite a distance, they can fly 10s of kilometres, so if they are breeding in Trinity Bay they can come in and cover the whole city.”

The JCU mosquito expert said sand flies or midges would also be out in force until decent rain arrived.

“October is the worst month for these guys,” he said.

“If you get a lot of rain it flushes them out, they literally breed in the tidal creeks in the mud. There’s not a lot you can do in your yard (but) there are those plug-in mosquito zappers and they will help keep them away.”

Another tip was applying surface spray to screened windows to kill insects attempting to fly inside, Prof Ritchie said.

Kross Pest Management owner Kelvin Ross said he had not received many calls from clients looking to keep mosquitoes and midges in check, but the Asian honey bee had been causing problems for homeowners. “There is a lot around and they’re aggressive like African bees, I get calls all the time,” he said.

“The problem is, if you have one of them tag you, it lets all his mates know and they sting you. I would be more concerned about them than mosquitoes.”

The Asian honey bee was first detected on the Australian mainland in 2007.

Mr Ross said he recently spent six hours at the Cairns Hospital emergency department after being stung.

He advised people with Asian bee swarms in the backyard to not risk getting stung and call a professional.

“Get someone that knows what they are going, we have all the right PPE,” he said.