Cankerworms are moving into the dormant stage
Nuisance mosquitoes - AFA remains low

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG June 1, 2006 - This year the City undertook an extensive cankerworm control program. This was in response to the emergence of high numbers of cankerworms resulting from their normal 5 to 7 year cycle. While it is never possible to completely eradicate the cankerworm population, the program was able to greatly reduce what could have been an extremely severe infestation.

This evening the City of Winnipeg will conclude the cankerworm control program. The control program is only effective while the cankerworms are feeding on the leaves. Citizens will continue to notice worms hanging from their webs for a few days yet. However, once the worms are hanging from their webs, they have stopped feeding, thereby rendering any further spraying ineffective.

Shortly, the cankerworms will burrow underground, emerging again next fall or spring, dependent on species. The Branch would like to remind residents to put up their tree bands again this fall in order to minimize next year's population of cankerworms.

With respect to mosquito control, results of the aggressive larviciding program continue to be positive. Over the weekend, the recent thunderstorms, particularly in the south end of the City, have created standing water sites that show increased larval development which are currently being larviciding.

Since May 4th the City has been monitoring the 24 New Jersey Light Traps for nuisance mosquitoes three times a week. Starting next Monday, June 5, 2006, this will increase to 5 times a week, Monday through Friday.

It is important to note that, nuisance mosquito trap counts are only one of the factors which make up the City of Winnipeg’s Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) Level. The AFA Level consists of a range of factors that are considered in determining the appropriate control measure to be implemented for nuisance mosquitoes. Information on nuisance mosquito trap counts, as well as other AFA factors are available at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

The City is encouraging property owners to also help “Fight the Bite” by taking one of the following steps to eliminate standing water on their properties:
Dump It! - containers
Drain It! - eavestroughing or unused containers
Cover It! - rain water collection containers
Fill It! - low-lying areas
Treat It! - biological larvicide

Interested individuals may acquire more information by contacting the City’s Bugline at 311 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by visiting the City’s Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.