Cankerworm control program delayed due to inclement weather

WINNIPEG - May 18, 2007- On May 12, 2007 the City of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch commenced a cankerworm control program. The Insect Control Branch’s surveillance data indicates that many areas of Winnipeg will experience significant populations of cankerworms, which may result in significant defoliation.

On May 18, 2007, weather permitting; the City of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch will continue its cankerworm control program in areas throughout the City. Treatment will be conducted utilizing BTk, a biological product, which 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 - 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 6:30 a.m. Spraying will not occur if there is a significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 kmph.

Due to unfavorable weather conditions yesterday evening and overnight, Insect Management Areas 10 and 38 were not completed.

Starting at 9:30 p.m. tonight, crews will continue treatment in Insect Management Areas 10 and 38 and upon completion will begin treatment in Insect Management Areas 45, 46, 47 and 50. Treatment of Insect Management Areas 45, 46, 47 and 50 is expected to continue over the entire weekend. The crews will be focusing on heavily foliaged areas that are at risk of significant leaf damage.

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

Please refer to the back of the 2007 telephone white pages or visit our website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline for a map of the Insect Management Areas.

Citizens may register for a buffer zone if they do not wish spraying for cankerworm control to be carried out on or adjacent to their property. Citizens may register by contacting the Insect Control Branch in writing at 3 Grey Street, R2L 1V2, or by fax at 311 or by registering on line at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.