AFA Remains Medium
Larviciding Program Successful to Date
Released: 9:13 a.m.
NEWS @ A GLANCE:
The City of Winnipeg continues to monitor adult nuisance mosquito activity closely.(for more details, please read the full media release below) |
WINNIPEG - July 30, 2009 - Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg continues to monitor adult nuisance mosquito activity closely. While cooler than average temperatures have resulted in low average trap counts, there has been an increase in adult nuisance mosquito activity in some areas of the city.
Larviciding Successful
To date, the City of Winnipeg has been successful at controlling mosquito populations utilizing a combination of larviciding and residual treatments. Residual treatments were implemented as soon as the female adult mosquitoes began to emerge in increasing numbers. In addition, an aggressive larviciding program is continuing.
AFA Remains Medium
Based on an analysis of today’s Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA), which includes trap counts, the city-wide AFA rating remains Medium. The 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. Information on current AFA factors is available on the Insect Control Branch’s Website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.
Recent cooler overnight temperatures are resulting in decreased adult mosquito activity, which equates to lower New Jersey Light Trap Counts. In addition, 90% of mosquitoes trapped are the primary nuisance mosquito Aedes vexans, which are starting to die off naturally due to age.
Nuisance Mosquito Fogging Program Requirements
If conditions change, and an adult nuisance mosquito fogging program is warranted, the City’s Insect Control Branch (ICB) will provide a 48-hour public notice.
The City of Winnipeg Adult Mosquito Control Policy and the Pesticide Use Permit define three requirements that must be met in order for a nuisance mosquito fogging program to occur:
- The Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) which is one city-wide rating must be High; and
- A minimum average city-wide trap count threshold of 25 female mosquitoes for 3 consecutive nights; and
- One or more of the quadrants of the city are in the range of 100 female adult mosquitoes.
At this time, these conditions have not been met. The city wide trap count was 7 on Tuesday, and 23 on Wednesday of this week. Today’s trap count is 11.
Fogging is ineffective when the overnight temperature is below 13 degrees Celsius.
Residents are reminded that, if they wish to have their primary residence excluded from an adulticiding program, they can register for a 100 meter buffer online, or in writing by faxing 311 or by contacting the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 1V2. Visit our website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline for more information on how to register for buffer zones. Up to 72 hours may be required for processing.
In addition, the Insect Control Branch offers an automated telephone and e-mail notification system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or e-mail notification during any fogging for adult mosquito control. To register for the automated email notification system, citizens can go to Winnipeg.ca/cms/bugline/notification and click the online form. To register for the automated telephone notification system, citizens can call 311.
Help Fight the Bite
The City is strongly encouraging property owners to also help “Fight the Bite” as 50% 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
Interested individuals may acquire more information by contacting 311, or by visiting the City’s Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.
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