Adult nuisance mosquito fogging program temporarily suspended
AFA moves to medium - effective Tuesday, June 27, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG June 27, 2006 - The city-wide Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) rating has now moved from high to medium, based on an analysis of today’s AFA factors, which includes trap counts. Therefore, the City will be temporarily suspending its Adult Nuisance Mosquito Fogging program effective today, Tuesday, June 27th, 2006.

Since June 23rd, the Insect Control Branch has been fogging nightly throughout Winnipeg, prioritizing first for areas with highest mosquito populations. The AFA has now returned to medium, meaning that:

• mosquito populations have declined throughout the city;
• the remaining adult mosquito population is older and dying off;
• larval sites are showing low levels of larval development;
• no significant rainfall is forecasted/current larval sites continue to dry up.

The Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) is based on a combination of key environmental factors that are used to determine whether or not conditions are conducive to continued mosquito emergence, including trap counts. Information on current AFA factors is available on the Insect Control Branch Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

All factors of the AFA will continue to be monitored. Should the AFA rating return to high the Adult Nuisance Mosquito fogging program, for the entire city, will resume. A 48 hour public notice will be issued prior to resuming the Adult Nuisance Mosquito Fogging Program. Fogging would be carried out in the entire city (buffer zones respected), continuing to prioritize first for areas with highest nuisance mosquito populations. Daily public service announcements would be issued providing a minimum of eight hours advanced notification to advise citizens as to where fogging operations would specifically be occurring on that given night, weather permitting. These announcements would also continue to be available on the Insect Control Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

Residents are reminded that, if they wish to have their primary residence excluded from the adult nuisance mosquito fogging program, they can register in writing by contacting the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 1V2, online at Winnipeg.ca/bugline, or by fax at 311. Visit our Web site for more information on how to register for buffer zones. Please allow up to 72 hours for processing.