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By Martin Martinson

Pest Control

City offers advice on mosquito prevention

Jun 9, 2021 | 9:00 AM

The City of North Battleford is urging residents to help control the mosquito population by removing potential ‘mosquito breeding sites’ from their yard and around their home this spring and summer.

Communications manager with the city, Dustin MacDonald explained that virtually any standing water left untouched outdoors can serve as an optimal grounds for the pests to congregate and repopulate.

To help keep the mosquitos away, residents are asked to remove standing water in their yards where possible, such as dumping or removing plugged eavestroughs, bird baths, and exposed rain barrels, along with other areas outside where the water buildup may lead to an optimal breeding grounds.

People are also asked to keep their grass cut short, as long moist grass is also a preferred destination of mosquitos and other pests.

MacDonald said while the community has seen a pretty dry last number of months overall, with a few rainy days of late, and more expected to come in the days and weeks ahead, the city is doing what they can to be proactive and eliminate the problem before it becomes a big issue.

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“With the recent rains, we’re anticipating there could be some increased mosquito populations and with all the rain we’re forecasted to still receive, it’s just important to be proactive,” he said. “We’re applying Vectobac into the standing water around the city to ensure we’re removing larva before they can hatch and become the pests they are.”

The city has been using Vectobac for many years now to control mosquito populations in the city. Vectobac uses the biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly referred to as Bti, a bacterium found naturally in soils. This product is applied to standing water within the city every Wednesday during the spring and summer and targets specifically larva of mosquitos and black flies.

In a release, the city called their practice “the most efficient, effective, safe and ecologically responsible method of mosquito control.”

The City of North Battleford does not engage in spraying (fogging) as a means to control mosquitoes as it is less effective than a larvicide program. Spraying is also an indiscriminate form of insect control, meaning it destroys pollinators like bees and butterflies as well as mosquito predators like dragonflies.

Individuals can reduce their attractiveness to mosquitoes by wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants, using mosquito nets over infant playpens and strollers, applying insect repellent, and reducing outdoor time between dusk and dawn.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1