WINNIPEG – June 10, 2008
Nuisance Mosquito Control Program
The Insect Control Branch is engaged in an aggressive larvidicing program in response to the 70-100 mm of rain which Winnipeg received over a four day period. Recent rains have created numerous standing water sites. The Insect Control Branch is utilizing all resources which include approximately 150 staff and 4 helicopters to check and treat about 34,000 hectares of potential water sites in Winnipeg and the surrounding 10 km treatment area.

Today the city-wide Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) rating has moved from low to medium. This change is based on a current analysis of the AFA factors including soil saturation, temperatures favourable for larval development and a significant hatch of summer mosquito larvae which are mostly in the 1st instar (or first stage).

Due to the current combination of environmental factors, there is a potential for a large emergence of adult mosquitoes over the next 10-14 days. This will depend on weather conditions over the next couple of weeks, as well as the effectiveness of the larviciding program that is currently underway. It is important to note that, nuisance mosquito trap counts are only one of the factors which make up the City of Winnipeg’s 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.

As the AFA is now medium, there is an additional tool which we will utilize if necessary. If a localized emergence of adults does occur we will treat the bushes and shrubs where adult mosquitoes rest during the day, with permethrins. Permethrins are an environmentally friendly product made from the chrysanthemum flower.

The City is strongly encouraging property owners to also help “Fight the Bite” as 50 percent of standing water sites are located on private property. Homeowners can take 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

Cankerworm Control Program
The Insect Control Branch’s cankerworm control program, which began on Sunday evening, June 1, 2008, has been progressing well despite some delays on nights when poor weather conditions have developed. To date, the program has focused on trees which are at risk of significant leaf damage in Insect Management Areas 7, 8, and 9 (areas within Transcona) as well as Insect Management Area 4 (East Kildonan) and part of Insect Management Areas 2 and 5 (North Kildonan, and Elmwood). Tonight, June 10, 2008, the program will continue in Insect Management Areas 2 and 5.

Spraying continues to occur five nights per week, Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m., weather permitting. Spraying will not occur if there is significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 km/h.

It is anticipated that the program will last for approximately three more weeks. A Public Service Announcement will be issued daily providing information on what treed areas of the city will be sprayed that night. This announcement will also be posted on the Insect Control Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

Please refer to the back of the 2008 MTS white pages or visit our Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline for a map of the Insect Management Areas.

Treatment will be conducted utilizing BTk, a biological product, which is sprayed from high pressure tree sprayers directly onto the foliage of the trees. Once BTk is ingested by the cankerworms, they stop feeding and die approximately two to three days later.

Homeowners are responsible for control on their property. Citizens can spray their own trees with BTk, which is available at most home and garden centres or can contract a tree spraying service by referring to the yellow pages under tree service or exterminators.

Citizens may register for a 30m buffer zone if they do not wish spraying 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, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 1V2, or by fax at 311 or by registering on line at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

Citizens may register for email notification regarding planned tree spraying by visiting our Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline. They can also register for telephone notification by calling the Insect Control Branch’s Bugline at 311 and leaving their name, address and phone number. Once registered, residents will receive automated phone or email notification identifying the area(s) of the City in which the Insect Control Crews are intending to work, weather permitting.

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 Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.