INVITING mozzies into your backyard might not be what you had in mind for the summer, but it's exactly what you'll be doing if you answer a call to become a Zika Mozzie Seeker.
Citizen scientists in south-east Queensland are being asked to set up DIY mozzie traps in their gardens as a defence against the Zika virus.
As part of the in-home trial, developed by Queensland Health, Brisbane City Council and Metro South Public Health residents will be provided with mosquito egg collection kits to sample mosquitos around their home.
The Zika virus is spread by one type of mosquito - the Aedes aegypti - which is common in north Queensland but has not been see in south-east Queensland since the 1950s.
The project will help confirm that such mosquitoes are not present in South East Queensland.
Project manager and entomologist Brian Montgomery from Metro South Public Health Unit said the pilot could set a benchmark for mosquito monitoring.
"An egg trap is fun and easy to set up - it's a small container partially filled with water, which is the sort of environment the mozzies breed in. If your location is suitable you'll be sent a free mosquito egg collection kit. All you need to supply is a spare plastic container," Mr Montgomery said.
"You will need to have the trap in your backyard for around two weeks in 2017 and send the supplied egg strip back to our lab for testing. You will receive results about the eggs and level of mozzie activity in your local area.
"The project is currently a pilot for residents of the Metro South Health region of Brisbane but it has potential to be expanded and used to monitor other areas of South East Queensland.
He said the project will help identify Aedes aegypti mosquitoes faster, giving scientists a better chance of controlling such mozzies and stopping the spread of Zika and dengue viruses.
To register your interest visit https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/zika-mozzie-seeker
