Bug busting: A Leisure & Cultural Services Department officer sprays insecticide in Tsing Yi Park.

Vacant Government land will be identified for beautification to cut mosquito breeding grounds, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department says.

The move is one of the department's anti-mosquito measures to tie in with the Government's efforts to prevent Dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.

Guidelines on the specific measures to curb mosquito breeding have been issued to all department staff and contractors responsible for cleaning, horticultural maintenance and venue management.

A total of 3,552 special anti-mosquito operations and 4,239 special cleaning operations were conducted between January and April.

Enhanced action

To prevent the accumulation of water, all storage containers are tightly covered. The circulation system of fountains and ponds are inspected regularly to ensure that they are working properly. Rubbish, including discarded bottles and tins, is removed in disposable plastic bags, which are properly tied.

Chemicals such as larvicidal oil are applied weekly to stagnant water that cannot be eliminated immediately.

Should it find any potential sources for mosquito breeding in the vicinity of its venues, such as construction sites, the department will request appropriate action.

It has also installed 300 mosquito-trapping devices at 162 venues.