Cankerworm control program continues

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG May 31, 2006 - On Wednesday, May 31, 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 pm and 5:30 am. Spraying will not occur if there is a significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 kmph.

Starting at 9:30 p . m . tonight, Wednesday, May 31st to June 1st inclusive, crews will be treating the Norwood Flats and the St. Vital area.

The boundaries for Norwood Flats are as follows:

• North Boundary: Red River
• South Boundary: Red River/ Carriere Avenue
• East Boundary: St. Mary’s Road
• West Boundary: Red River

The boundaries for the St Vital area are as follows:

• North Boundary: Carriere Avenue
• South Boundary: Fermor Avenue
• East Boundary: Seine River
• West Boundary: Red River

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)