Winnipeg, MB - Today, the City of Winnipeg announced the start of its surveillance and larviciding activities for the 2016 insect control season.
Mosquito Control Program
This season’s mosquito control program will continue to be based on an environmentally mindful Insect Control Strategy.
“The City of Winnipeg will continue using an integrated pest management approach which includes larviciding, residual treatments, and when necessary, fogging, to supplement these ongoing measures,” said Ken Nawolsky, superintendent of insect control.
Key components of the mosquito control program include:
- A larviciding program that continues to be 100% biological,
- The use of four larviciding helicopters on contract by the Insect Control Branch,
- Monitoring and treating over 31,500 hectares of water area on an ongoing basis based on weather conditions,
- Use of the City’s Geographic Information System database which contains approximately 7,000 standing water listings, many of which contain multiple sites, and
- 180 staff working in the Insect Control Branch.
“The larviciding program is beginning about 10 days earlier than the historical average due to the quick rise in temperatures,” said Nawolsky. “This past weekend, some parts of the city received significant rainfall which will result in a substantial spring larviciding program for control of the spring mosquito species.”
Monitoring for adult nuisance mosquitoes in the New Jersey Light Traps will begin on May 2, 2016 and the first trap counts will be posted on May 4, 2016 on the Insect Control website
The Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) level is LOW. For details on the AFA factors, please refer to the Insect Control website
Fogging will be initiated only when the requirements of the City policy, the AFA Guidelines, and the Provincial Pesticide Use Permit are met. If nuisance mosquito fogging is required, the program will be carried out in the entire city using Pro Malathion ULVâ�, buffer zones respected, prioritizing first for areas with highest nuisance mosquito populations. A 24-hour public notice will be issued prior to the start of a nuisance fogging program. Daily public notices will also be issued detailing where fogging will occur that night.
Property owners are also encouraged to eliminate standing water on their properties by taking one of the following steps:
- Dump It! - containers
- Drain It! - eavestroughing or unused containers
- Cover It! - rain water collection containers
- Fill It! - low-lying areas
- Treat It! - biological larvicide
Buffer zones
Property owners not wanting insecticides applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register as “Anti-Pesticide Registrants” for the adult nuisance mosquito control program. Those who wish to register must provide identification that ties the registrant to the address being registered for a buffer zone. A photocopy or scanned document such as a driver’s licence or a utility bill will suffice as acceptable identification proving primary residence. Remember - a 72-hour turnaround time is required.
There are four different options to register:
- In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1V2,
- By emailing 311 at 311@winnipeg.ca
- By faxing 311, and
- In person at 1539 Waverley Street.
Please note that since identification is required, registrations cannot be processed over the phone.
Phone and email notification
The Insect Control Branch offers an automated telephone and email notification system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or email notifications during all fogging for adult mosquito control. To register for the automated email or telephone notification systems, citizens can go to City of Winnipeg - Register for Notification or call 311.
Insect management areas
All Winnipeg neighbourhoods have been grouped into 51 Insect Management Areas. Information on all mosquito fogging, forest tent caterpillar and elm bark beetle control activities will be provided by referencing the specific Insect Management Area in which they are being carried out. These maps can be found on our website. You can also find out the Insect Management Area you live in by calling 311.
More information
For more information, please contact 311, open 24 hours every day by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca, or visit the City’s Insect Control website.