Cankerworm control program continues

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG May 12, 2006 - On Friday, May 12, 2006, the City of Winnipeg's Insect Control Branch will continue its cankerworm control program for areas within the City, where trees are at risk of significant leaf damage. Treatment will be conducted utilizing Btk, a biological product that is sprayed from high pressure tree sprayers directly onto the foliage of the trees located in City parks and on City boulevards. This product has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and will be used in accordance with federally approved labeled directions by licensed pesticide applicators.

Spraying of trees will occur between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Spraying will not occur if there is a significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 kmph.

Last night we completed Assiniboine Park and Kildonan Park. Time did not permit St. Vital Park to be treated. Based on our surveillance data St. Vital Park will be treated at a later date.

Starting at 9:30 p.m. tonight crews will be concentrating their efforts in the Fort Rouge area from Friday, May 12 until Sunday, May 14, 2006 inclusive.

The boundaries for this area are as follows:

• North Boundary: Assiniboine River
• East Boundary: Osborne Street/Pembina Highway
• South Boundary: Taylor Avenue
• West Boundary: Cambridge Street

This information is also available by visiting the Web site at Winnipeg.ca/Bugline or by calling the Bugline at 311.

Citizens may register for a buffer zone if they do not wish spraying for cankerworm control to be carried out adjacent to their property. Citizens may register by contacting the Insect Control Branch in writing at 3 Grey Street, R2L 1V2, by email at insectcontrol@winnipeg.ca or by fax at 311 and providing the following information:

• Name
• Date
• Address of their principal residence
• Telephone Number
• Email
• Insect Control Program (i.e. cankerworm control)