MOZZIES be warned, a Russell Island man is taking up the fight against flying invaders on his property with a bug zapper dubbed the 'The Terminator'.
Steve Turner published a photo on Facebook after bringing the zapper to life to show the extent of the mosquito problem currently facing island residents.
It shows a pile of insects that the Terminator had killed over four days piled up on a piece of A4 paper.
The zapper, which was a bargain buy off eBay, attracts insects to an ultraviolet light and uses wire mesh to electrocute them.
Mr Turner said he estimated there to be thousands of insects in the photo and had put his hand in the frame to demonstrate the number of mozzies that were buzzing around his property each night.
He said he moved to the island 12 years ago when his daughter was three but had questioned whether it was the right decision because of the scourge of mosquitoes.
"It's what we have to deal with living on the islands. Unfortunately it's reality for me," Mr Turner said.
"I put them on an A4 paper to show the quantity. I just poured them from the catcher compartment from the Terminator. That was just four days and nights worth of mozzies."
Mr Turner said he thought there had been an increase in the number of mosquitoes since rain lashed the island earlier this month.
"It has been far less in the past because of the drought," he said.
"I don't put up with the mozzies. Usually if possible I stay indoors after 4pm.
"I'm not sure if anything can be done. Council does their best to reduce the numbers with spraying."
Mr Turner said he had become immune to the mozzies since installing the Terminator but still employed an old-school tactic to keep them at arm's length.
"In the afternoons, I have an industrial fan blowing in the direction of the back door to divert them from entering the house," he said.
According to the council website, aerial spraying for mosquitoes on Russell Island had been completed three times since the start of February.
The sprays target newly hatched larvae before they can fly using chemicals that do not adversely affect the environment, with additional spraying conducted in response to rainfall events.
Council advises that people should avoid going outside at dawn and dusk to prevent mozzie bites unless they protect themselves with insect repellent or cover up.
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