Mosquito Monitoring
Mosquito monitoring is undertaken by local experts who volunteer their time to improve the quality of life for our community. You can help with this monitoring by reporting bites. The more information we receive, the more we can create an accurate picture which in turn helps with targeting dredging works to minimise the mosquito menace. You can report bites here using our online form.
Mosquito Control
Whilst it is not possible to eradicate mosquitoes, Neston Town Council is committed to controlling the numbers in an environmentally responsible way.
The Town Council works with partners to implement a co-ordinated plan for mosquito control based on the concept of Open Marsh Water Management. Pool creation and ditching works, all of which are approved in advance by Natural England, are carried out as part of an ongoing and targeted programme, the effects of which are monitored and in turn inform future management.
Mosquito Forecast
Mosquito monitoring is undertaken by local experts who volunteer their time to improve the quality of life for our community. You can help with this monitoring by reporting bites. The more information we receive, the more we can create an accurate picture which in turn helps with targeting dredging works to minimise the mosquito menace. You can report bites here using our online form.
The current forecast is GREEN
Storm Dave’s strong north-westerly winds produced an unanticipatedly high tide which replenished all the marsh breeding pools. These already had a significant number of very mature larvae and pupae ready to emerge but following the high tide there has now been a new hatch of eggs. Significant numbers of adults will emerge over the coming weeks if there is sufficient rainfall to maintain the breathing pools: let’s hope for fine dry weather!
The local traps have started to catch adult mosquitoes. The numbers remain small as yet. There is a mix of species and it is likely that some do not originate from the marsh, but unfortunately all are from species known to bite humans.
Nevertheless, in the coming week, the biting nuisance is expected to remain low, but please do report any bites here:
https://nestontowncouncil.gov.uk/council/mosquito-monitoring/report-a-mosquito-bite/
Keys to traffic lights forecast
Red:
Serious risk. Many Neston residents are likely to be bitten, especially but not only in the evenings. Precautionary methods as outlined in the FAQs should be used when gardening or enjoying barbecues.
Amber:
Medium risk. Some Neston residents may be bitten, especially on still warm evenings.
Green:
Low risk. Neston residents are unlikely to be bitten.
Feedback on Mosquitoes and the Mosquito Monitoring Programme
Send us feedback on our monitoring reports by emailing us at: mosquitoes@nestontowncouncil.gov.uk
Further Reading
A report by Dr. Peter Enevoldson on mosquito monitoring during 2025 is available to download: Mosquito Monitoring 2025.
A copy of the study by Michael Clarkson, Phil Jones and Sandra Hughes‐Crean entitled “Domestic mosquitoes in the Neston area of Cheshire, UK”. This single page PDF summarises the detail and conclusion of a long term study into the mosquitoes on the Dee estuary marshlands around Neston and the immediate surrounding towns and villages. This document is downloadable here.