Town of Port Hedland tells mozzies to 'fog off'

Published on Monday, 23 March 2026 at 1:57:00 PM

Mosquito season has returned to Hedland and with it comes a seasonal reminder - without community collaboration, mosquito-borne diseases have the potential to rise.  

Wet-season rains and warmer temperatures have created perfect breeding conditions across the Town, speeding up mosquito activity in public areas and around homes.  

To tackle the issue head on, the Town has already commenced its comprehensive Mosquito Management Program (MMP), which targets mosquito breeding sites in public areas.  

Environmental Health Officers are currently monitoring these known sites and conducting regular larviciding across drains, wetlands, and other bodies of water.  

This year’s program will again make use of advanced drone technology, allowing officers to safely and efficiently treat large or hard-to-reach areas.  

The Town’s Manager Environmental Services, Michael Cuvalo said managing mosquitoes was a shared responsibility.  

“Our officers are working hard in public spaces, but we need residents to help reduce breeding sites around their homes too.”  

“Even small amounts of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. A few minutes of prevention each week can make a huge difference” he said.  

Residents are encouraged to:  

  • Tip out standing water from buckets, pot plant trays, toys, and containers  

  • Maintain lawns and clear gutters  

  • Empty and refresh pet water bowls daily  

  • Use repellent and wear light-coloured, long, loose clothing, especially at dawn and dusk  

The Town will continue its trapping and surveillance program, monitoring mosquito numbers and testing for diseases known to occur in the Pilbara and Kimberley.

Officers will also maintain their weekly fogging schedule at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.  

In 2025, officers completed more than 200 hours each of fogging, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to public health. Fogging is applied in a controlled and targeted way across residential and industrial areas while avoiding sensitive environmental sites.  

The Town will continue providing updates throughout the season as surveillance data becomes available.  

Environmental Health Officers also strongly encourage residents and businesses to report areas that may be of concern, so they can investigate.  

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