NEA Released Thousands of Mosquitoes Near Our Preschool ¡ª Then I Learnt Something Surprising

Recently, there have been a lot more mosquitoes around our Jurong West area. Not just a few more ¡ª the kind where you're sitting in the living room, kids are playing in the yard, and within minutes you've got several bites.

I called the Pest Control company three times to come out. First visit: they stayed for an hour. Second visit: same thing. But the mosquitoes kept coming back. I was wondering ¡ª is there a breeding spot somewhere near our centre that we've missed?

Then a neighbour told me: NEA has been releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes nearby. Around the Pioneer MRT area, releases happen every Monday and Thursday since 20 April 2026.

So I did some research. And what I found was genuinely surprising ¡ª

The mosquitoes NEA releases don't bite people.

Male vs Female Mosquitoes ¡ª The Science Nobody Told Us

NEA's "Project Wolbachia" releases male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria. Key facts:

• Male mosquitoes only feed on nectar ¡ª they don't bite. Only female mosquitoes need blood to produce eggs.
• These males mate with wild females, and the eggs don't hatch.
• Over time, the local female mosquito population drops by 80-90%.
• By October 2026, this programme will cover 800,000 households (50% of Singapore's total).

So if you see a big swarm of mosquitoes flying around ¡ª those are NEA's male mosquitoes. They don't bite you. The bites you're getting are from wild female mosquitoes that haven't been suppressed yet.

Why Does It Feel Like There Are More Mosquitoes?

This is a phenomenon all of Singapore has been discussing ¡ª even NEA has posted about it:

• During the initial release phase, overall mosquito numbers do go up ¡ª because male mosquitoes are being released in large numbers, and wild females haven't been suppressed yet.
• The swarm you see is mostly harmless males, but the bites are still from wild females.
• It takes weeks to months for female numbers to drop ¡ª the effect isn't immediate.

In February 2026, MP Gerald Giam raised this in Parliament: residents at Tampines GreenVerge reported still getting badly bitten even after Wolbachia releases. The government's response was the same ¡ª males don't bite, the bites are from wild females not yet suppressed.

Dengue 2026 ¡ª The Numbers

Good news: Singapore's dengue cases are indeed dropping.

• Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar): 410 cases, down ~29% from the previous quarter
• First 5 months of 2026: ~600 cases, down 66% vs the same period last year
• Full year 2025: 4,036 cases (a 7-year low)
• Full year 2024: 13,651 cases

You can check the latest dengue statistics and active cluster information on the NEA Dengue page.

Bad news: Even though the trend is down, for babies and toddlers, even one case is too many. Dengue can develop faster and be more severe in young children, especially those under 2.

Protecting Your Baby by Age ¡ª A Practical Guide

This is what every parent wants to know. Different ages need different protection methods.

Newborns Under 2 Months

No insect repellent at all ¡ª their skin is too sensitive.

• Use mosquito nets over cots, prams, and baby carriers
• Dress in light-coloured long sleeves and pants ¡ª mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours
• Avoid going out during early morning and evening (Aedes peak hours)
• Install window and door screens at home

?? Babies 2 Months+

According to Singapore's NEA and the HealthHub Insect Repellent Guide, these ingredients are safe for babies 2 months and older:

• DEET 10-30% ¡ª the classic, most effective ingredient
• Picaridin 10-20% ¡ª odourless, non-irritating
• IR3535 ¡ª a gentler repellent option

Note: Don't apply to baby's hands (they put them in their mouths), around eyes, or on broken skin.

Toddlers 1-3 Years

• Apply it yourself ¡ª don't let toddlers apply their own repellent
• Reapply after outdoor play when they sweat
• Mosquito repellent patches or bands can help as a supplement (but don't replace repellent)
• Light-coloured long sleeves and pants outdoors

?? Preschoolers 3-6 Years

• Start teaching them about mosquitoes ¡ª "this little black bug bites, tell an adult if you see one"
• Let them apply repellent under supervision (building the habit)
• Schedule outdoor activities outside of peak biting hours (early morning, late afternoon)
• Bath immediately after returning from outdoor play

Home Mosquito Checklist ¡ª Check Every 2 Days

NEA keeps emphasising: Aedes mosquitoes only need a bottle-cap amount of stagnant water to breed. Here's what you need to check:

• ?? Flower pot saucers ¡ª empty standing water, or cover with fine sand
• ?? Vases ¡ª change water every 2 days, or use artificial flowers
• ?? Roof gutters ¡ª clear leaves to prevent water pooling
• ?? Buckets and containers ¡ª store upside down when not in use
• Used tyres ¡ª Aedes' favourite breeding spot
• ?? Bathroom floor traps ¡ª pour hot water regularly to clear

Check every 2 days ¡ª that's NEA's recommended frequency. If you do this properly, there'll be nowhere for Aedes to breed around your home.

When to See a Doctor ¡ª Dengue Symptoms

Classic dengue symptoms include:

• Sudden high fever (up to 40¡ãC)
• Rash (usually appears 2-5 days after fever starts)
• Pain behind the eyes
• Headache, muscle and joint pain
• Nausea, vomiting

Critical reminder: If your child has a fever, use ONLY Paracetamol. NEVER give Aspirin or Ibuprofen ¡ª these increase bleeding risk.

For detailed dengue information and healthcare guidance, visit the HealthHub Dengue page. If you suspect dengue, see a doctor immediately ¡ª don't wait.

How Our Centre Keeps Children Safe

Before you enrol your child, you'll want to know: is our centre doing enough to protect them from dengue?

Here's what we do:

• Monthly professional Pest Control treatment ¡ª all outdoor areas (landscaping, rock gardens, walkways, plant areas) are sprayed. We keep detailed service records and GPS-stamped photos.
• Daily stagnant water checks ¡ª the centre head inspects the campus daily to ensure no Aedes breeding points.
• All windows and doors have mosquito screens ¡ª physical barriers are the first line of defence.
• Indoor activities during peak biting hours ¡ª early morning and late afternoon, children stay indoors.
• Parent communication during NEA releases ¡ª we keep parents informed about Wolbachia mosquito releases so they know males don't bite and there's no need to worry.
• NEA-approved repellent for outdoor activities ¡ª child-safe formulations only.

For more information on NEA's dengue prevention measures, visit the NEA Dengue Prevention & Control page. You can also learn about the science behind the Wolbachia programme on the NEA Wolbachia Strategy page.

Our centre is on Yunnan Drive, right next to NEA's Pioneer release area. Nobody cares more about the mosquito situation here than we do ¡ª because our children are here every day.

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