Efforts by the City of Cranbrook are well underway to battle a possible boom in the local mosquito population, with early monitoring showing a lot of mosquito larvae activity.

Over the last two weeks, the city’s contractor completed the first treatment directed at the mosquitoes in the larval stage, by hand placing the granular larvacide Aquabac onto sites where larvae have been found. This larvicide contains a naturally occurring bacterium known as Bti, which targets the mosquito larvae, but does not harm birds, mammals, beneficial insects or amphibians. This product is registered for this use in Canada.

Potential mosquito breeding sites will be continually monitored and treated as needed throughout the spring and summer.

Please help us manage and control the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home or property. Standing water has a huge potential for mosquito development. Some places to eliminate standing water include:

• Clogged gutters and ditches;
• Trays under flower pots;
• Outside pets’ dishes;
• Children’s pools and toys;
• Untreated or unmaintained pools or ponds;
• Bird baths and feeders;
• Tarps;
• Canoes / boats;
• Tires.

Please call the Mosquito Hotline at (250) 421-1294 to report potential mosquito development sites or for more information regarding the Mosquito Control Program.

Lead image: Mosquito Larvae Cranbrook – Photo credit Kendra Lewis, Morrow Bioscience Limited

City of Cranbrook

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