Areas all around southern B.C. and into southern Alberta are suffering with clouds of mosquitos this spring and early summer – and the City of Cranbrook is not immune even with its annual mosquito control program actively treating potential breeding sites around the community.

High water and plenty of rain events this spring have created a significant storm of the pesky bloodsuckers, which really needs hotter, dryer temperatures to naturally deal with them.

The city’s contractor Morrow BioScience has actively been treating areas in and around the community since May 5, to kill mosquito larvae in a program that is done each year by applying both Vectobac and Vectolex. Potential mosquito breeding sites will continue to be treated to kill larva as needed throughout the year.

Despite these efforts, the city continues to hear frustration from residents about the booming mosquito population.

“We’ve been fortunate for many years where the mosquito population in Cranbrook has been quite minimal, thanks to the mosquito treatment work being done, and the weather cooperating. But Mother Nature has had other plans this year, with the cooler, wet weather across the Kootenays into southern Alberta this spring creating the perfect conditions for a mosquito boom we haven’t seen in years,” said Chris Zettel, Corporate Communications Officer.

“Luckily the weather has warmed up significantly and it is expected to remain hot all week, so that will go a long way in helping reduce our mosquito numbers.”

Residents can help by regularly checking their properties and removing standing water from things like tires, tarps, boats, bird baths, unmaintained pools, children’s toys, pet dishes, flowerpot trays, clogged gutters, and ditches. Reducing standing water is one of the simplest ways everyone can help keep mosquito populations low.

Lead image: Mosquito larvae in Cranbrook.  Photo credit Kendra Lewis, Morrow Bioscience Limited

City of Cranbrook images

City of Cranbrook

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