Elm Bark Beetle Control Program begins

Released: June 13, 2014 at 10:31 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB - weather permitting. The program is intended to control elm bark beetles, the carriers of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

The Public Works Department is conducting the second phase of the enhanced Elm Bark Beetle Control Program this summer to reduce the incidence of DED. As previously announced, this increased effort is part of the Comprehensive Strategy to Enhance the Protection of our Urban Forest from DED for which City Council approved additional funding as part of the 2013 budget.

Historically, elm bark beetle control has focused on treating elms on public and private properties along river corridors, and on public and private properties where diseased elms have been identified and removed. This enhanced program expands the treatment to all elms in the City of Winnipeg on all public and private properties, whereby half of the elm population is treated each year on a two-year rotation. This year’s program will focus on the east and south portions of the city.

The Elm Bark Beetle Control Program will begin on Monday June 23, 2014 in Insect Management Areas 7, 8 and 9 in the following neighbourhoods: Peguis, Regent, Meadows, Griffin, Radisson, Victoria West, Transcona North, Kildare-Redonda, Kern Park, Canterbury Park, Mission Gardens, Dugald, St. Boniface Industrial Park, Melrose, Transcona Yards and Transcona South - weather permitting.

Weekly public service announcements will be issued on Fridays throughout the program indicating what Insect Management Areas the treatment will occur the following week.

Treatment will occur between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, weather permitting. Treatment will occur on an ongoing basis until fall.

General Information

Treatment will be conducted using Dursban Turfâ� or Pyrate 480 ECâ� (Chlorpyrifos), chemical products, which are sprayed from portable sprayers directly onto the lower 50 centimetres of the tree trunk. This product has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and will be used in accordance with federally approved label directions by licensed pesticide applicators.

Citizens wanting personal notification by telephone and/or email of Elm Bark Beetle Control Program activities can sign up by:

  • Calling 311, emailing 311@winnipeg.ca or faxing 311,
  • Registering online,
  • Contacting the Insect Control Branch in writing at 3 Grey Street, R2L 1V2, or
  • In person at 1539 Waverley Street.

For more information please contact 311, or visit the City's Insect Control website.

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