The Town will be taking every possible step to try to reduce and manage rising mosquito numbers through 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.
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.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia outcomes
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)
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.
Working collaboratively with State Government
March 2025
Expanded mosquito surveillance program to continue in northern WA
Residents across northern Western Australia will benefit from stronger protection against mosquito‑borne diseases, with the WA Department of Health confirming it will permanently expand its mosquito surveillance program in the region.
The program, which has already been operating over the past three years, will now continue long‑term and be strengthened through closer partnerships with local governments, including the Town of Port Hedland.
Earlier warnings mean better public health protection
The expanded program means health authorities can detect mosquito‑borne viruses earlier and more accurately, allowing faster public health responses and better protection for local communities.
By testing mosquitoes directly, health experts can identify virus activity in near real‑time. This gives councils and health agencies early warning when disease risk increases, helping guide mosquito control, community alerts and health advice before outbreaks grow.
This approach has already led to successful detections of viruses such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus in northern WA, something that was not possible as quickly in the past.
A smarter approach for changing conditions
The program is especially important as climate change continues to impact northern WA. Longer wet seasons, heavier rainfall, flooding and cyclones create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Health officials say expanding mosquito surveillance ensures monitoring keeps pace with these changes, providing broader coverage across large and remote regions like the Pilbara and Kimberley.
Bulk mosquito sampling allows more areas to be monitored than state officers could manage alone, making local government involvement a key strength of the program.
Strong collaboration with local government
Local governments play an important role by collecting mosquito samples in their communities. These samples are then tested by the Department of Health at no cost to councils.
In return, councils receive regular results that can support local reporting, mosquito management and public health messaging.
The Department of Health has thanked participating councils for their contributions, noting that local involvement has already improved mosquito‑borne disease surveillance across the state.
Formal communication will also be sent to local government CEOs to encourage ongoing organisational support and resourcing, recognising the important role environmental health teams play.
Faster, clearer results than traditional methods
While traditional monitoring methods, such as sentinel chickens, remain part of the surveillance system, mosquito testing offers faster and more precise results.
Testing mosquitoes directly makes it easier to identify and distinguish between multiple viruses, including Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus. This improves confidence in results and speeds up decision‑making.
Health authorities say combining both methods strengthens the overall surveillance system and helps refine future monitoring approaches.
A long‑term investment in community safety
Making the expanded mosquito surveillance program permanent reflects its success and ongoing importance to public health in northern WA.
By working together, the Department of Health and local governments are building a stronger, faster and more responsive system,helping keep communities informed, prepared and protected from mosquito‑borne disease risks.