Living on the lakes
A connected system
City of Gold Coast says Lake Orr, Silverbank, Heron, Miami, Burleigh, Swann and Varsity Lakes all drain past the Pizzey River fishing platform. The Bond University weir, just upstream, marks the upper limit of the Nerang tidal system, and Lake Orr has tidal control gates.
Who looks after the water
The council is responsible for maintaining canals and keeping lakes and canals clean. Private waterfront owners look after their own boat ramps, pontoons, jetties and decks, and the stormwater running off their block.
Mosquitofish aren't the answer
The name sounds helpful, but the council calls them a noxious fish that competes with native species. If you catch one, don't put it back. For a garden pond, it suggests goldfish or native freshwater fish.
Midges
The council says midges are common in coastal and canal estate suburbs, breeding in damp sand between tide marks. If you're bitten at dawn or dusk and see nothing, that's your likely culprit.
Fire ants
Lawns running down to the water are worth a look. Mounds that seem wrong go to Biosecurity Queensland, with Queensland law setting a limit of 24 hours.
What's breeding at your place?
Water that's moving isn't usually the problem. Saucers, blocked gutters, boat covers and pot plants on the deck are. City of Gold Coast's advice is to empty water holding containers at least weekly, keep swimming pools well chlorinated and clear gutters so they drain.
If you've done all that and still can't sit outside at dusk, ask whether what's biting is a midge or a mosquito. It changes the answer, because fine mesh and a fan do more for midges than any yard spray.
Termite inspection in Varsity Lakes
Decks, pontoon stairs and timber landscaping sit close to moisture, and damp conditions attract termites. They're easy to overlook on a termite inspection unless you mention them. Ask for them to be included, and ask for the written report to say what couldn't be reached.
Chemical termite work in Queensland needs the right QBCC licence class plus a pest management licence. If you spot a mud lead on a deck bearer, leave it there and take a photo.
A lakefront once over
- Check boat covers and kayaks for pooled water.
- Lift pot plants and empty the saucers.
- Look under the deck for mud leads, and photograph them.
- Keep stormwater off the slab edge.
- Keep garden beds clear of the weep holes.
Where we'd start with pests in Varsity Lakes
Most of your mosquitoes are probably on your own block, so we'd start there, then get the deck and any timber included on a termite inspection. Tap what you've seen and your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
