Mosquito battle begins in Winnipeg as temperatures rise

The City of Winnipeg has begun its annual battle against mosquitoes as the weather warms up and the rains begin.

"The larviciding program is beginning about 10 days earlier than the historical average due to the quick rise in temperatures," said Ken Nawolsky, the city's superintendent of insect control. Larviciding kills mosquitoes while they're still in their larval stage.

"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."

The city has already announced it will use malathion again if it has to fog for mosquitoes this summer, but officials said they still plan to bring in an alternative to the much-debated chemical.

The insect control branch said Tuesday that it has about 4,550 litres of malathion remaining in its inventory — enough to fog the whole city 2½ times.

The first mosquito trap counts will be posted on May 4 on the city's Insect Control website.

• Winnipeg to use malathion for mosquito fogging again this year
• Malathion supply will not be renewed in Winnipeg after this year

Key components of the mosquito control program include:

• a larviciding program that is 100 per cent biological;
• the use of four larviciding helicopters if required;
• monitoring and treating more than 31,500 hectares of water area on an ongoing basis based on weather conditions; and
• use of the city's geographic information system database, which contains about 7,000 standing water listings.

Buffer zones

Property owners not wanting insecticides applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register for a buffer zone.

City crews will ensure that the sprayer is not treating within 90 metres on each side of a buffer-registered property on the front street, side street, and rear lane.

There are four different options to register for a buffer zone:

• write to the Insect Control Branch at: 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1V2;
• email 311@winnipeg.ca;
• fax 311; or
• in person at 1539 Waverley St.

You must provide identification with your address on it, such as a photocopy or scan of a driver's licence or utility bill.

A 72-hour turnaround time is required before the zone will be registered.

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 with a reference to the specific management area in which they are being carried out.

Insect management area maps can be found on the city's website or by calling 311.