Larviciding is key to reducing the mosquito population

Crews target standing water starting in spring

Being flat, with impermeable soil and large bodies of standing water makes Winnipeg the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

That’s also why Winnipeg is home to the largest municipal mosquito control program in Canada.  It's important we work to make sure you can enjoy your summer outside.

Mosquitoes breed in water. So starting in spring through mid-September, we use helicopters and ground crews to target all known mosquito habitats in an effort to reduce the insect’s populations. In some cases off-road vehicles are used to get to difficult to reach areas.

Crews will also larvicide up to 12 km beyond the City limits.

Crews can use different vehicles to ensure mosquito breeding grounds are treated.
Crews follow all regulations when Larviciding.

Once their eggs hatch, the highly concentrated larvae matures into adult mosquitoes in about a week. This is the insect’s most vulnerable stage.”

Larviciding is the largest component of our insect control program. It prevents the mosquitoes from ever reaching the adult, biting stage. It is the most effective and environmentally acceptable method of mosquito population reduction.

The crews will use insecticides that are approved by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency. We make sure make sure to follow all label directions and restrictions.

Depending on water conditions, we will monitor and treat more than 28,000 hectares of water each year.

Originally posted on May 29, 2019

Animals and insects

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