Mosquitoes at a Curving Avenue property are driving tenants to distraction but they say their landlord - the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) - is doing nothing to alleviate the situation.

Meanwhile Government Pest Control Officers are overrun with complaints and reports of mosquitoes around the Island this month as hot and humid August offers a pest breeding paradise.

BHC tenant Charlita Campbell told The Royal Gazette she fears for the health of her children who return from playing or sitting outside covered in bites.

“I have stopped letting them go outside at night,” Ms Campbell said. “They don't like it but I am afraid because the mosquitoes are too bad.”

Government issued a warning last week that residents should check properties extensively and empty any containers where standing water might collect as mosquitoes which can carry both West Nile virus and Dengue fever are breeding on the Island.

While Bermuda has had no cases of either disease to date, Government feels controlling the mosquito population now is key to protecting the Island from these potentially deadly diseases in the future.

Ms Campbell said she believes the problem on Curving Avenue stems from overflowing pits located below the property.

Sinks on the property empty into the pit and then the fluids soak into the ground but, Ms Campbell said, if more water is in the pit than can be absorbed it sits providing a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“We had the same problem last year,” Ms Campbell said. “I probably complained to BHC 15 times. But they didn't do anything until finally I complained to the Health Department.”

BHC crews then came to the property and drained the pit, she said, but the problem has resurfaced with a vengeance this year.

“I don't understand why they don't have to fix the problem permanently,” Ms Campbell said.

And she said BHC told her there was nothing they could do to permanently address the problem.

BHC acting general manager Deborah Blakeney told The Royal Gazette the corporation is very busy at the moment and often tenants do not raise issues with the right individuals or in the proper manner.

Ms Blakeney said tenants should be submitting their concerns in writing in order to best ensure they will be dealt with.

And, as the Curving Avenue problem deals with insects, she suggested residents approach the Government Pest Control Officers.

Pest Control Supervisor David Kendell said Ms Campbell has contacted his Department about the mosquito problem in her area.

But his Department is swamped with mosquito problems at the moment, he added. With a staff of just three officers, Pest Control is now struggling to deal with a backlog of 47 outstanding jobs.

“Normally we have a two-day waiting period,” he said. “Now because of the backlog it is more like two weeks.

“We are aware there is a problem there but we have to ask people to have patience.”

Ms Campbell told The Royal Gazette she feels BHC is getting an easy ride from the Health Department because it is a Government quango.

“I heard that other landlords are being taken to court for not dealing with their properties,” she said. “This problem has been going on for years. Why is BHC not being taken to court?”

Thirteen persistent offenders against Health Department efforts to control the mosquito population are being hauled before a special “Mosquito Court” session in Magistrates' Court today.

Under the Public Health Act, the offenders face fines of $168 to $420.