THE MOSQUITO PEST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5340, 17 October 1928, Page 3

THE MOSQUITO PEST.

SUMMER BRINGS INSECTS. HOW TO AVOID DISEASE. A warning ,to householders, and advice on the steps to take to. combat the mcjsquito menace, is conveyed in a letter which has, been forwarded t<J the Borough Council by the Medfical Officer of Health, Mr J. Boyd. Mr Boyd states: — “As the mosquito season is nqw approaching, and these pests are no,t only exceedingly annoying but are a source of danger in the transmission of disease, I would again bring under your notice the necessity of taking active steps to dfestrqy all breeding places of these insects. “As you are aware, mosqui.to.es breed in stagnant water, s,uch as ponds, pools, puddles;, and collections q r water in tins, bottles*, etc. AH such pools should be drained, but if this is not practicable, oil of some kind should be spread on the water. Kerosene is the handiest and most effective, but owing, to, its volatility is required to be renewed frequently. Special, attention Should be paid! to air backyards and other places where tins, bottles;, etc., accumulate. The Health Act, 1920, gives full powers, to local auHoi;i.ties to deal with the mosquito problem. Proceedings, if necessary, should be taken against any persons who >£a;>l to. abate the nuisance qn their premises which may favour the breeding or the harbouring of -mosquitoes,” •The officer pointed but' also, that water tanks were one of the most common places for these pests; and it should be seen that all water tanks were properly covered and openings guarded by fine screens; or, alternatively, that a film qf kerosene was maintained on the surface of the water. Kerosene placed on the water surface qf a tank did not in any w'ay affect the water for domestic purposes, as the water was. drawn from the bottom of the tank and the kerosene was not dr.a.wn off The same remarks applied to. barrels of water kept in some gardens for the Purpose of watering, plants.