Emergency warning of the lawn king’s yard for a silent accident

A respected turf king has called on Aussies to be careful and get yard clearances after a dangerous outbreak ‘outside their door’.

The head of one of the biggest franchise chains in the southern part of the country, Jim’s Mowing boss Dan Cahill has urged Aussies to clear yards for fear that the current warm weather and recent rains have provided the perfect breeding conditions for Japanese encephalitis mosquitoes to breed.

He called it a “perfect storm of mosquito activity” warning “this is not something people can ignore”.

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Head of Jim’s Mowing, Dan Cahill. Image: Provided

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Backyard water is a danger many families don’t realize, experts warn.

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“People think that mosquitoes are just a nuisance, but they can carry something very dangerous,” he said. “Right now, we’re seeing situations where diseases like Japanese encephalitis can spread and your garden can contribute to that risk.”

“This is happening in the suburbs, not just in the swamps or rural areas. People need to understand that the danger can be outside their doors”.

According to the World Health Organization, “most JEV infections are mild (fever and headache) or have no obvious symptoms” – similar to the flu, but one in 250 results in “severe clinical illness” with four to 14 days of incubation.

“Severe disease is characterized by the rapid onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, convulsions, heart failure and ultimately death. The mortality rate may be as high as 30 percent in those with symptoms. Communication problems or weakness of the body parts.”

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Backyards are a treasured asset for Aussies, hosting many celebrations and functions.

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Mr Cahill, who has 5,500 customers across Australia, said cases continued to emerge across the country and Aussies’ backyards were quietly putting them at risk.

He said standing water – commonplace in everyday backyards – was all that was needed to spread the risk.

“Mosquitoes need less water to breed,” he said. “Blocked gutters, trays of potted plants, birdbaths, buckets, even a small pond can be a breeding ground during the day.”

“It doesn’t take much. A few days of water sitting still and you can have hundreds of mosquitoes ready to hatch.”

Mr Cahill said people can take care of themselves without waiting for professional help.

“Go through your belongings and take a closer look,” he said. “Empty potted plant saucers, buckets, children’s toys, tiles and anything else that holds water.”

“Clogged gutters are one of the biggest breeding grounds for mosquitoes we see. Keep them clean and free flowing.”

A common mistake many families make is leaving a saucer of water under potted plants, which can also allow mozzies to breed unattended.

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Water settling under lawn bowls was a common mistake made by many homeowners.

“Those little saucers under pots are perfect breeding grounds. They’re often overlooked but they can produce a lot of mosquitoes very quickly.”

“If you have ponds or water features, use appropriate medications such as larvicide dunks to stop spawning,” he said.

Mr Cahill urged Aussies not to let gardens get too overgrown – be it lawns or flower beds.

Mow your lawn regularly and cut back thick grass. Mosquitoes like cool, shady and moist places, so the more open your yard is, the less attractive it is.”

“A well-maintained yard with good ventilation makes it difficult for mosquitoes to establish themselves.”

Even outdoor fans can help make a yard less mosquito-friendly, he said.

SUMMARY OF CHILD PREVENTION TIPS:

1. Eliminate standing water

Go through your belongings and take a closer look

Empty potted plant saucers, buckets, children’s toys, tins and any objects that hold water

Clean clogged gutters regularly – they are great breeding grounds

Keep gutters flowing freely

2. Treat potted plant sauces

Small saucers under pots are ideal nesting sites

They usually go unnoticed but they breed mosquitoes quickly

Check and empty them regularly

3. Lawn and garden maintenance

Mow the lawn regularly

Trim back dense vegetation

Create open spaces with good ventilation

Minimize cool, shady and wet areas where mosquitoes hide

4. Focus on their nature

Use outdoor fans (mosquitoes are weak flyers)

Maintain good ventilation in your yard

Treat ponds/water features with larvicide dunks to stop spawning

5. Natural and practical barriers

Plant lavender and citronella

Switch to the yellow LED external light

6. Act quickly

Do a yard inspection today

Remove any standing water immediately

Simple maintenance prevents major problems

Do not let the water sit for weeks

(Source: Jim’s Team)