Mosquitoes 'increase' on Wirral marshes
People living near marsh land in south Wirral claim they are suffering from a dramatic increase in the number of mosquitoes in the area.
Environmental experts say a blocked water channel means stagnant water is running through the marshes, meaning the insects can breed more quickly.
Cheshire West and Chester Council said it has teams spraying the marsh lands at Neston and Parkgate.
It said the situation should improve when that takes effect.
Local resident and retired environmental expert Patrick Davies said the problem needs resolving.
He said: "The channel... is absolutely blocked at the moment and water is just lying.
"It's also probably going to be a public health nuisance in some time because there are five storm water outfalls which go into it, and they sometimes have solids water that is water from drains, kitchen sinks things like that."
Carly Murphy, from the council's Streetscene department, said talks with other agencies were continuing to address the problem with the channel in the marsh.
"We have been spraying for a number of years, it does work as a means of control," he said.
"We do use a lavacide but once the mosquitoes are on the wing, there is very little that we can do."
He added: "We are aware of the blocked gutter and that drainage on the site is an important issue on the site to prevent the water from standing which allows them to breed."