After the ‘pong’ now the mozzies Residents warned about Mogden swarm

3:00pm Friday 10th August 2007

By Chris Briddon

Experts have warned the area around Mogden sewage works in Isleworth will be the spot in London most at risk when a predicted infestation of mosquitos and other insects hits the capital within weeks.

The warm, wet summer has created pefect breeding conditions for insects and could lead to London becoming overrun.

Hounslow council has sent out a leaflet to residents living within two kilometres of the Isleworth sewage works, warning them of the risks of letting water stagnate in gardens and drains. It asked people to regularly check gutters and clean out bird baths to eliminate breeding sites and to cover garden furniture when it is not in use.

A spokesman for Hounslow Council said: "We are monitoring the situation around the works very closely and carry out a fortnightly audit of the area to make sure there are no big increases."

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is also monitoring mosquito levels at Mogden.

Thames Water which runs the 120-acre sewage works site has been battling a mosquito problem at Mogden for many years and spent millions trying to eradicate the insects and placate Isleworth and St Margarets residents who complain of the mosquitos each summer.

It has a strict round the year control programme, using pesticides to kill adult mosquitos and bacteria to kill the larvae. It also use large electric insect killers around the site, and consults with experts to actively seek out and remove places where mosquitos might live and breed.

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "Our view is that although Mogden is a breeding location for mosquitos it is one of a number in the local area and mosquitos are endemic to London.

"However, we have got controls at Mogden and good housekeeping. We have chemical and biological controls and insect killers.

"We are working with the local authority to control mosquitos and we have just launched a joint initiative with Hounslow Council and the London borough of Richmond upon Thames to advise local people what they can do to help control the situation."

She said Thames Water annually spends £139,000 on mosquito control at Mogden but this year it has spent a further £245,000 on a project to specifically alter parts of the site to further eradicate breeding sites.