A mosquito crisis in southwest Sydney is threatening to disrupt Christmas celebrations, with locals fearing the holiday could be “canceled” due to an unprecedented swarm of the pests. Residents are grappling with swarms of mosquitoes after an outbreak of the invasive weed Frogbit at the Sydney Water Recycling Plant in Warwick Farm. This weed, which was first spotted in March, provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and has since spiraled out of control.
Ponds at the Sydney Water Water Recycling Plant in Warwick have been covered in the weed Frogbit. Picture: Nine News
Efforts to combat the infestation are now underway, with crews working to remove the Frogbit weed and spraying the area. Excavators and boats have been deployed, and a helicopter will begin spraying larvicide this week. However, local MP Tina Ayyad expressed concern that the situation may ruin Christmas for many families, with reports of children suffering from painful mosquito bites, including one girl with welts on her eyes. Some residents are even unable to host family gatherings in their own backyards due to the swarm.
Despite the challenges, NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson remains optimistic, telling local radio she assured the community that efforts to eradicate the mosquitoes would take one to two weeks, but she was confident that the situation would be under control by Christmas. With 10 trucks, two boats, and a helicopter mobilized, authorities are working around the clock to resolve the crisis and bring relief to affected residents.
