Management of mosquitoes is required because they bite and transmit viruses that cause diseases.
This fact sheet has been prepared for pig producers to assist in the control of mosquitoes in piggeries. It was developed in March 2022 by the Japanese encephalitis Vector Management Group – consisting of agriculture and health agencies, and the pork industry. The latest version of this guide was updated in September 2022.
Download the printable mosquito management guide here
Download the interactive mosquito management plan here
Download the mosquito monitoring template here
Quick facts
- Adult mosquitoes lay eggs on or around fresh, waste or stagnant standing water in natural or constructed places including ponds, dams, rainwater or septic tanks, scrap metal piles, old drums, farm equipment, roof gutters, buckets, troughs, puddles, creeks, ditches and marshy areas
- Only the adult female bites people and animals, as she requires blood to produce eggs
- A single female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs
- When they hatch, larval mosquitoes, known as wrigglers, live in the water and can complete their development and emerge as adults within 7-10 days
- Adult mosquitoes prefer sheltered, cool, and dark places to rest, and tend to be on the underside of objects or plant foliage to avoid getting wet
- Adult mosquitoes generally don’t live longer than 3 weeks but will bite and blood feed every 3-4 days
- During their life adult mosquitoes may travel up to 5 km from where they hatched
- Adult mosquitoes are most active at dawn, dusk, and into the evening but can also be active during day
Protect yourself 
- Wear a loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt with long pants, and covered shoes
- Use repellents that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Apply insect repellent to all exposed skin during your workday
- Read the repellent label for reapplication times. Re-apply accordingly
- A range of repellents and insect sprays are also available
Control mosquitoes
- Mosquito management that relies on only controlling adults is not effective
- Integrated mosquito management that targets all stages of the mosquito life cycle using a combination of non-chemical and chemical methods is most effective
- Monitor mosquito numbers daily. Visually inspect water bodies and water-filled containers for wrigglers, and facilities for resting adult mosquitoes (e.g., ceilings, walls). If mosquitoes remain abundant, consider additional mosquito control
Non chemical control
- Reduce mosquito breeding on your property by:
- Removing anything in the open that is filled with water or has the potential to hold water
- Filling potholes or other areas around the piggery that collect water
- Ensuring gutters, downpipes, and drains around buildings are free of debris that creates pooling water, and trimming overhanging branches
- Ensuring effluent drainage is free flowing, flushed regularly and does not pool
- Ensuring all tanks, wells or other large water containers are sealed, or screened with 1mm mesh
- Reducing vegetation around the piggery will minimise areas where adult mosquitoes can rest
- Ensure all windows and doors are covered by well-maintained mosquito proof screens
Chemical control
- Chemical residues in pork are a trade and food quality risk
- Do not apply chemicals that are not registered for use on pigs to pigs, pig feed, surfaces pigs may contact, or in a way that might result in chemical drifting onto pigs
- Only use chemicals approved for use against mosquitoes and strictly follow the directions for use on the label
- Chemical use for mosquito control should be conducted by people authorised to use chemicals in accordance with state/territory training and licensing requirements. Preferably
use a licensed pest control operator. - Seek professional advice if you are unsure about how to use a chemical
- Chemical control can be applied to water sources, the outside of sheds and buildings, effluent ponds, staff facilities and pigs
- Restrict chemical use to areas required to be treated
- Keep records of all pest control activities
- Be aware that misuse of chemicals can create environmental risks to bees, wildlife and aquatic life
View these handy videos developed by PIRSA and NSW Health for more support
