Located roughly 600 kilometers off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, Lord Howe Island is a popular tourist destination known for its dramatic mountains, unspoiled beaches, and diverse wildlife. But one thing you won’t find on Lord Howe Island is mosquitoes. In fact, there hasn’t been a single recorded instance of mosquito activity on the island in over 80 years! So how did this little island manage to keep its mosquito population in check?

A Mosquito-Free History

Lord Howe Island was first settled by British settlers in 1788, who brought with them a number of animals, including chickens and pigs. These animals quickly reproduced and began running rampant across the island, destroying vegetation and leaving huge amounts of potential breeding sites for mosquitoes. Sensing an opportunity, disease-carrying mosquitoes soon made their way to the island and began to thrive in the wet conditions.

As mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria began to take their toll on the island’s population, something had to be done. In 1918, the Australian government enacted a series of strict quarantine measures aimed at preventing further introduction of mosquitoes to the island. These measures included regular spraying of insecticide and destruction of any potential breeding sites.

These measures proved successful, as there hasn’t been a single recorded instance of mosquito activity on Lord Howe Island in over 80 years. The Lord Howe Island Board continues to maintain a strict mosquito-prevention program to this day, ensuring that visitors can enjoy all that the island has to offer without having to worry about pesky mosquitoes.

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Conclusion

So there you have it – proof positive that Lord Howe Island is indeed a mosquito-free zone! If you’re looking for a beautiful place to vacation where you don’t have to worry about getting bitten by mosquitoes, then Lord Howe Island is the perfect destination for you. Bon voyage!

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