Mosquito Management
The Town of Port Hedland is committed to continuing monitoring and supporting the control of mosquito numbers as demonstrated in the Mosquito Management Plan.
If you are experiencing particularly high numbers of mosquitos at your home or work, please contact the Town so that we can complete a survey of the area or provide some localised treatments.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia
In February 2025, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia passed through Port Hedland. Following the significant rain, mosquito numbers spiked dramatically. This is not uncommon following a downpour of rain, and our Environmental Health team conducted its most extensive control program to date, with over 200 hours spent fogging (each) and collectively covering over 22,440 hectares since February.
Additionally, over 120 hectares of ponding water has also been chemically treated, either by drone or by hand as pooled, standing water creates the perfect breeding site for mosquitos.
During this time, over 3000 mosquitos were trapped in just 6 hours on a daily basis (pictured below)
FAQs
What is the Town of Port Hedland doing to mitigate mosquito numbers?
The Town is authorised to undertake mosquito control on public and Town of Port Hedland land - private land is the responsibility of the land owner/occupier.
This includes weekly, regular fogging of areas in Port Hedland, South Hedland, Bosna and Wedgefield.
However, there are some areas where the Town are not authorised to fog due to the proximity to a waterway/body (e.g Pretty Pool).
Fogging will continue until the numbers can be effectively reduced, which the Town will coincide with breeding cycles and larviciding efforts.
Authorised Environmental Health Officers for the Town can issue an order to an owner or occupier of private property that is/has the potential for mosquito breeding to remove the source of breeding as per the Health Local Laws, Public Health Act, and Local Government Act.
This can be a verbal or written direction to clean up and/or treat stagnant water bodies, and if not complied with, can result in further enforcement action.
Where can I get a free mosquito repellent dispenser for my community group?
Order here: Repellent dispenser community initiative
Where can I find more information?
Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, Mosquito-borne diseases: Mosquito-borne diseases
Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, Fight the Bite Campaign: Fight the Bite campaign
Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, Mosquito-borne virus detected in Pilbara region: Mosquito-borne virus detected in Pilbara region
Why does the Town use a fogging method?
Fogging is an effective way to reduce current adult mosquito numbers in the area during the treatment.
This not only reduces the current adult mosquito numbers, effectively reducing disease transmission, but also reduces the subsequent breeding cycles.
When combined with larvicding (treating water bodies), this will result in a significant reduction in the number of mosquitoes in the area within a few weeks of treatment.
Where can I get the free Coopex pesticide sachet?
In response to the increase of mosquitos following significant rains from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia, the Town has purchased sachets of Coopex, an effective residual pesticide, to support residents in managing mosquitoes around their homes.
The sachets will be provided free of charge to residents for residential use only. Commercial businesses are encouraged to engage a licensed pest controller for treatments on commercial properties.
Product collection details:
| Locations |
Civic Centre, Depot Administration reception (Wedgefield), and South Hedland Library |
| Limits |
One sachet per customer |
Coopex is a pyrethroid-based residual chemical designed for application on external walls, eaves, and other outdoor surfaces. The product remains active for up to 90 days unless washed off by rain or sprinklers, in which case reapplication will be required.
Community Recommendations
While the Town will make make every effort to reduce mosquito numbers, mosquitoes cannot be fully eradicated, and there will always be some mosquito population.
The Town recommends the following simple, yet possibly life-saving advice:
- Clean up any pooled bodies of water around your home as this creates the perfect breeding site
- Use insect repellent frequently
- Ensure insect screens are installed and in good condition at your property (and caravan's if you are on the road!)
- Wear long, loose fitting clothing if you are outside, especially at dawn and dusk when mozzies are most active
- Utilise mosquito coils and lanterns in patio and outdoor areas if you are outside
What is mosquito management?
​Mosquito management in Western Australia involves coordinated efforts to reduce mosquito populations to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
Local governments play a crucial role in this process by implementing control programs, conducting surveillance, and educating the public about prevention methods. This includes monitoring mosquito breeding sites, applying treatments to control larvae and adult mosquitoes, and working with communities to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. Through these actions, collectively, we can help protect public health and enhance the quality of life for all.
Mosquitoes are an essential component of the natural ecosystem, however their ability to transmit disease to humans through bites creates a significant public health risk to communities. While the Town will make make every effort to reduce mosquito numbers, mosquitoes cannot be fully eradicated, and there will always be some mosquito population.
In the Pilbara, mosquito-borne diseases of concern include Ross River Virus (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV), Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin virus. In the absence of a vaccine and cure for these diseases, it is important for humans to take necessary measures to prevent or reduce the risk of a mosquito bite.
The presence of mosquitoes is significantly determined by a number of environmental factors, particularly ambient temperature, vegetation and rainfall. Port Hedland is susceptible to flooding, tidal inundation and fringing marshland. There are also residential developments surrounded by tidal areas and marshland.
The Town’s Environmental Health department uses a combination of physical and chemical strategies to remove potential breeding sites and to kill mosquito larvae and adults, where possible. While it is not achievable to completely eradicate an entire mosquito population, any measures that can be taken to prevent mosquito breeding and prevent the emergence of adult mosquitoes are effective to reduce the risk of a mosquito bite.
The Town’s Mosquito Management Plan (MMP) describes the key measures that are used to monitor and control mosquito numbers in Port Hedland. Monitoring measures include larval sampling, adult trapping, identifying and treating or removing breeding sites and participating in the Sentinel Chicken Program.
General Enquiries
You can submit a general enquiry through OneConnect or call our Customer Service’s team on (08) 9158 9300 weekdays between 8:00am and 3.45pm.
OneConnect
Useful Links
Mosquito Management Plan
Accommodation & Health Services
WA Health: Mosquito Borne Diseases Information
DoH: Mosquito Management in WA