A mosquito is a type of fly. In the UK there are 33 different species , a few species do attack humans and, in most parts of the country, it is normal for people to receive the occasional mosquito bite during the summer. They are quite small insects and are typically less than 1cm in length.
Mosquitoes in Hounslow
A particular species of mosquito, Culux pipiens molestus, has become established in and around the immediate locality of the Mogden sewage treatment works. This species will readily bite humans and, in some cases, people have suffered many bites in a single night. Problems usually occur from spring and into autumn.
Culex pipiens molestus is identical to another type of mosquito that is found all over the world, Culex pipiens pipiens. This more common type of mosquito prefers to bite birds rather than humans although the similarity in appearance makes proper identification of mosquito samples very difficult. The human biting mosquito, like all mosquitoes, requires water on which to lay its eggs and in which its larvae can develop. It tends to prefer dark, underground, or enclosed spaces in which to breed and, where it finds these, it will breed all year round. During the summer it will breed readily in open water sources. It will only survive in still or very slow-moving water and cannot breed in water that moves relatively quickly such as rivers.
Mosquitoes and disease
In many parts of the world mosquitoes carry and transmit diseases such as yellow fever, West Nile virus and dengue fever. The organisms causing these diseases are not found in the UK and our mosquitoes are not implicated in the transmission of any diseases. Culex mosquitoes are not able to carry or transmit malaria even in tropical areas where the disease is prevalent.
What are you doing about the problem?
We have imposed a schedule of works on Thames Water that requires all standing water on the site to be inspected regularly and any mosquitoes found to be treated. As a result the works are inspected by entomologists every week during the spring through to the autumn and every two weeks outside of these months. A pest control company then visits the site within 48 hours to deal with any mosquito problems that have been identified. A large amount of work has also been done to eliminate many of the mosquito breeding sites or make the treatment of them easier. We monitor the works being carried out and visit the site regularly to ensure that it is being done correctly.
A few years ago biting mosquitoes were discovered in the roadside drainage gullies in roads close to the boundary of the sewage works. As a result a major programme of work that involves flushing the gullies every two to three weeks between May and September is carried out every year. This effectively prevents mosquitoes from developing in these gullies.
How can I stop mosquitoes from breeding on my property?
Mosquitoes will breed in still or very slow moving water and can develop into adult mosquitoes within two or three weeks during periods of very high temperatures. Advice on what you can do to minimise the chances of mosquitoes breeding on your premises is contained in an advisory leaflet which can be found on the right hand side of this page.
How can I prevent mosquitoes from biting members of my family?
To reduce the risk of being bitten the Health Protection Agency recommends the following measures:
Consider using insect repellent on exposed skin particularly when outdoors. Mosiguard, Autan or other sprays that contain DEET (over 30% diethyltoluamide – do not use over 50% DEET on children) are available. Follow the directions for use.
Consider keeping your arms and legs covered at dusk. Wear long sleeves, long trousers and socks.
Consider keeping windows and doors shut from dusk to dawn where possible to avoid mosquitoes entering your house.
Mosquito coils (a slow burning mixture of repellent and insecticide) can be burned either when sitting outside after sunset, or in bedrooms at night.
What can I do to treat insect bites?
The Health Protection Agency recommends the following advice for treating mosquito bites:
Try not to scratch the bite.
Mosquito bites do not usually require any treatment. If the itching is severe, your local pharmacist can give advice on a range of products that may ease the itching.
On rare occasions a bite may become infected. If the area around the bite becomes very red, sore, swollen and is spreading consult your GP.
How can I report a mosquito problem?
Contact us. It would be very helpful if you are also able to provide specimens of the insects that you think might be mosquitoes.
Contact us
Email: pestcontrol@hounslow.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8583 5082
Pest Control
Environment Department
London Borough of Hounslow
Bridge Road Depot
Pears Road
Hounslow
TW3 1SQ