Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg has started this year’s insect control season focusing on an aggressive, environmentally friendly mosquito larviciding program which is the most effective approach to control mosquitoes. Larviciding targets mosquito larvae in the aquatic stage before they emerge as adults.
“With the above normal rainfall received late last fall, there is a large amount of standing water compared to normal. A significant spring larviciding program in anticipated as the mosquitoes have begun to hatch in the water,” said Ken Nawolsky, Superintendent of Insect Control.
Employees working in the Insect Control Branch will carry-out the key components of the mosquito control program including:
- Conducting a 100 percent biological larviciding program using ground equipment and four helicopters
- Monitoring and treating over 28,000 hectares of water area on an ongoing basis based on weather conditions
- Monitoring for adult nuisance mosquitoes in New Jersey Light Traps beginning May 1, 2020 with the first trap counts posted on May 4, 2020 on the Insect Control website
- Fogging programs that will only be initiated 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 using DeltaGard 20EW®. Areas with highest nuisance mosquito populations will be prioritized and 90 meter buffer zones will be respected. 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.
Staff safety
Our field crews are instructed to exercise good handwashing and personal hygiene, ensure their vehicles and equipment are cleaned and disinfected properly, exercise social distancing measures as practicable, and wear their personal protective equipment as required.
Larviciding with helicopters
In accordance with Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Division, the City operates under a special flight operations certificate which allows us to use contracted helicopters to apply larvicides at low altitudes. When larviciding is occurring in places where people congregate (e.g. larger parks, etc.), public access will be restricted to these areas 20 minutes before and during treatment. The Insect Control Branch will try to minimize disruption to the public in the affected areas by posting signage which indicates the date and time of the planned treatment approximately 24 hours in advance of treatment, treating as early as possible in the morning, and using longer lasting larvicides to limit the number of applications required over the season.
Buffer zones
Property owners not wanting DeltaGard 20EW® applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register as “Anti-Pesticide Registrants” for the adult nuisance mosquito control program. Those who want 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 utility bill will suffice as acceptable identification proving primary residence. Please remember that a 72-hour turnaround time is required.
Due to COVID-19, you may not register for a buffer zone in person. Buffer zone applications must be received through one of the following options:
- 311 online service request
- Email to 311@winnipeg.ca
- Fax to 311
- In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg MB R2L 1V2
Do your part
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
Register for notification
The City offers an automated telephone and email notification system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or email notifications for all adult mosquito control activities. To register for the automated email or telephone notification system, residents can go to City of Winnipeg – Register for Notification or contact 311.
More information
For more information, contact 311or visit the City’s Insect Control website.