Summer Fleas and Mosquitoes in Melbourne's North

Summer in Melbourne's north means barbecues, backyard pools and pets spending more time outdoors. It is also when fleas and mosquitoes reach their peak. In Greenvale, Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park and nearby suburbs, newer estates with retention basins and wetlands sit right next to established backyards. That mix gives mosquitoes plenty of places to breed and gives fleas plenty of pets and wildlife to hitch a ride on.

Why both pests peak in summer

Fleas: warmth speeds up the life cycle

Fleas go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Only the adults live on your pet. The eggs, larvae and pupae, which make up most of the population, sit in carpet, pet bedding, under furniture and in shady parts of the yard. Warm, humid weather shortens the cycle, so a handful of fleas in November can become a household problem by January.

The pupae are the hardest stage to deal with. Protected inside a cocoon, they can wait until vibration, warmth or carbon dioxide tells them a host is nearby. That is why people often notice a burst of fleas after coming home from holidays or moving into a house that has been empty.

Mosquitoes: still water plus warm nights

Mosquitoes lay their eggs on still water, and in warm weather the larvae can become biting adults in about a week. Around a typical northern-suburbs home, breeding sites include:

• pot-plant saucers, buckets and wheelbarrows
• blocked gutters and rainwater tanks without intact mesh
• birdbaths, pet water bowls and kids' toys left out
• unused pools, ponds and water features
• low spots in the garden after summer storms

Homes near creeks, wetlands and estate retention basins, such as those along the Moonee Ponds and Merri creeks or around Craigieburn's wetland reserves, often see more mosquitoes on still evenings.

Health: why mosquito bites matter

Most mosquito bites are only itchy, but mosquitoes in Victoria can spread disease. The Victorian Department of Health issues warnings most summers about mosquito-borne illnesses such as Ross River virus and Japanese encephalitis. Health authorities have also linked mosquitoes and possums to the spread of Buruli ulcer, a skin infection that has been diagnosed more often in parts of Melbourne's inner north and north-west, including Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Brunswick West and Pascoe Vale South.

The Department's "Beat the bite" advice is to:

• wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing outdoors
• use a repellent containing picaridin or DEET on exposed skin
• keep insect screens on doors and windows in good repair
• take extra care around dawn and dusk

See a doctor if you develop a sore, lump or wound that is not healing, or flu-like symptoms after mosquito bites.

Breaking the flea cycle at home

1. Treat your pets first. Talk to your vet about an effective flea product and keep it up all summer. Treating the house without treating pets rarely works.
2. Vacuum daily for two weeks. Focus on carpets, rugs, under furniture and wherever pets sleep, then empty the vacuum outside. Vibration also encourages pupae to hatch so treatments can reach them.
3. Wash bedding hot. Wash pet bedding, throws and cushion covers in hot water and dry them thoroughly.
4. Don't forget the yard. Fleas shelter in shady, moist spots, under decks, and in places where pets lie.
5. Expect a few to keep hatching. Seeing some fleas for a week or two after treatment is normal as pupae emerge. Our guide to fleas after pet treatment explains what to expect.

For more detail, read flea control in Melbourne.

Cutting mosquito numbers around your home

• Tip it out weekly. Empty saucers, buckets and toys, and change birdbath and pet water at least once a week.
• Clear gutters and check that rainwater tank inlets and overflows are screened.
• Keep pools maintained or cover them, and stock ornamental ponds with fish.
• Trim dense, shady shrubs near outdoor living areas where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.

Our guide to mosquito control for Melbourne backyards covers this in more depth.

When to call a professional

Book a flea treatment if you are still finding fleas after treating your pets and vacuuming for two weeks, if you have moved into a property with fleas, or if you need a treatment receipt at the end of a lease. Book a mosquito treatment if mosquitoes are making your outdoor areas unusable after you have removed breeding sites, or before a backyard event.

Pest Eraze is based in Greenvale and treats homes across Melbourne's north, including Greenvale, Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park. Same-day and next-day appointments are most often available in these northern suburbs. For a wider look at the area, see our outer north Melbourne pest guide.

Call 0416 528 547 or request a free onsite quote. There is no call-out fee.