2 minute read
Tackling Mosquitoes Together
save the date sunday 2 may 2021
KICK-STARTING COMPOST WEEK 2-8 MAY 2021
Join us at the delightful Ballina Community Garden (corner of Clarence Street and Swift Street, Ballina) on Sunday 2 May to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week.
There will be free and engaging family friendly activities and a chance to take a look around the bountiful and much-loved garden.
Activities include:
Compost workshops (two sessions, 9.30am and 11am)- demonstration and Q&A. Suitable for beginners to advanced DIY beeswax wrap workshop (10.30am) – make your own plastic free wrap to take home. All ages welcome, children to be supervised Storytelling sessions
Look out for further promotion in the lead up to the event to book your spot.
protect yourself protect your family protect your community from the disease risks and nuisance of mosquitoes
Ballina Shire Council has partnered with Northern Rivers councils to help reduce the disease risks and nuisance of mozzies in our homes and communities.
We all find mozzies a nuisance, but not everyone knows that they also spread diseases that can cause serious illness and have long-term health impacts. The risks of mosquito-borne diseases are increasing due to the impacts of climate change and extreme wet weather events that make breeding conditions more favourable for mosquitoes. If we all do our bit in our own backyard, together we will protect our community. Here are some simple things we can all do to make a difference:
Tips for minimising mozzies at home
install insect screens on all windows and external doors. Check them regularly and mend any holes. keep vegetation in your yard well maintained and mow lawns regularly. empty out bird baths, pet water bowls, and water features with a hose on a weekly basis compost fallen palm fronds wipe dry pot plant bases, empty and clean the base weekly or fill with sand to absorb excess water increase air flow inside the house using ceiling fans or other air circulation strategies clean trailers, boats, gutters and drains quick flush with a hose small water features and water-holding plants like bromeliads tip out, cover up, or throw away any containers that collect water - mosquitoes love these ensure gutters are kept free of leaves and drain freely keep swimming pools chlorinated or salted and operate the pool pump all year round screen all openings to tanks, wells, and other large water containers
Tips for protecting yourself
when outside cover up as much as possible by wearing loose fitting, light coloured clothing and covered footwear avoid being outside when mosquitoes are most active, around dusk and dawn apply a topical insect repellent - choose any product that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply an even coat over all exposed areas of skin and you’ll get the longer lasting protection. Pump sprays are generally more effective than aerosols because they are easier to rub on to the skin light mosquito coils or use vapour mats indoors. Devices that use light to attract and electrocute insects have been proven to be ineffective in reducing mosquito numbers cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
For further information and to receive a free education pack, visit
