Especially now. A combination of warm days and rainfall in the Hunter has been conducive to mosquito breeding, and prompted a warning from health officials wary of the spread of mosquito-borne Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.

“Heavy rainfall during the past few weeks has contributed to a rise in mosquito numbers, while the warm weather allows mosquitoes to survive longer and transmit the viruses to people,” Hunter New England Health public health physician David Durrheim said.

“The symptoms of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus infection include fever, skin rash, painful joints and tiredness.”

Both viruses usually leave sufferers with a mild illness lasting a few days, though in some cases aches and tiredness set in for months.

Hunter residents are warned to fit flyscreens to their doors and windows, use insect repellent and spray “knockdown” insecticide in bedrooms half an hour before bed.

To that, Sydney University medical entomologist Cameron Webb would add keeping the yard clear of pots, buckets and any rubbish that can become “a mosquito factory”.

A record number of people in the eastern states – including NSW – were infected with Ross River virus early last year, and dengue fever cases have also climbed in the past two decades.

The present threat of mosquito-borne virus isn’t as dire, Dr Webb said, but shouldn’t be ignored.

“When you have a slow start to the mosquito season as we have this year, people get a bit complacent,” Dr Webb said.

“Around Newcastle there are well over 60 types [of mosquito] and half a dozen pose a significant risk.”

Culprit one: the salt marsh mosquito, found in mangroves, Fullerton Cove, Hexham swamp and wider Port Stephens.

Dreaded for its bite, the species arrives in vast numbers and swarms near water.

The Australian backyard mosquito, though, is thought to bite more Australians than any other species.

“They’re in pot plants, bird baths, septic tanks, water tanks,” Dr Webb said.

“They’ll really interrupt your barbecue.”

A note of redemption can be found in the Hexham grey mosquito – immortalised by the Ossie the Mossie statue at Hexham Bowling Club – that devours other species.

“Each time you see a Hexham grey, you know it’s eating hundreds of its pesky cousins,” Dr Webb said.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere in Australia that pays tribute to mosquitoes as much as Newcastle.”