17 September 2010
Newcomers to the Territory are irresistible to biting midges.As the next full moon approaches, residents and visitors alike are being warned to take precautions to protect themselves against these little Top End terrors.
Increased biting midge activity coincides with high tides linked to full moons, with the greatest numbers experienced in the Top End during the late dry season from August to November.
The next full moon is due on Thursday 23 September 2010. Biting Midge activity is heightened in the period four days before to fours days after it occurs.
"Female midges need a blood meal for their eggs to mature," Peter Whelan, Director of Medical Entomology at the Centre for Disease Control, said.
"The saliva they inject into their human hosts causes pain and swelling. The bite area can be extremely itchy-particularly for newcomers to the NT. Avoid scratching the bite area, which can break the skin and allow bacterial infections that can lead to unsightly sores.
"Soothing lotions may provide relief. Ice packs may be applied to the site of stronger bite reactions, but a severe reaction may require medical attention."
Mr Whelan says the best approach is to avoid areas where midges are breeding and in high numbers during the few hours on either side of sunrise and sunset.
He says if you experience biting problems or are in risk areas, cover up with long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks and shoes, and apply repellents that contain picaridin or diethyl toluamide (DEET), or use insecticide coils, lanterns, or barrier applications.
Biting midges, or Culicoides ornatus, may be a nuisance all around the NT coast within 1.5 kilometres of extensive areas of coastal mangroves containing small feeder creeks. Mangrove creeks and areas in Darwin and Palmerston that will see increased midge activity include:
· Sadgrove Creek, Reichardt Creek, Hudson Creek, Elizabeth River near Palmerston, and the Lee point and mouth of Buffalo Creek (high midge activity);
· Palmerston rural residential areas within 1km of harbour-fronting mangroves (high midge activity);
· Within 500m of the wider mangrove areas in lower areas of Rapid Creek and Ludmilla Creek (moderate midge activity); and,
· Suburban border areas of Palmerston suburbs Durack, Driver, Moulden, Archer, and Bellamack (moderate midge activity).
A 2010 calendar detailing expected biting midge periods is available at: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/44/56.pdf&siteID=1&str_title=Biting Midge Pest Calendar 2010.pdf
Media contact: Bridget Wild 8999 2751 or 0401 116 144
