A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson, Miss Wolters, said the recent rain and flooding had created ideal breeding conditions for the irritating insect and higher numbers were expected this summer.

“They’ve exploded. They’ve just gone from normal numbers that you’d expect at this time of year to, in some places, swarms,” Miss Wolters said.

The number of mosquitoes was so vast, she said, standing still became near-impossible.

Miss Wolters said many mosquitoes seen this spring were also noticeably larger than previous years.

Health authorities are urging people to protect themselves by covering up with long, loose-fitting clothing, using repellents containing containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, controlling mosquito numbers, installing screens on windows and doors, and using nets when camping. 

While a higher number of mosquitoes can be annoying, some mosquitoes can also transmit serious diseases.

These can include Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis.

Last year there were numerous cases of Ross River virus in central Victoria, including 11 in the City of Greater Bendigo area, but there were no reported cases of the Barmah Forest virus.

Social media has also seen plenty of home remedies and repellents being shared, as people desperately search for a way to keep the widely hated insects and their irritating bites at bay.