Safe biological treatment program underway

With the increase in temperature and the continued snowmelt, efforts are well underway to battle a possible boom in the mosquito population in Cranbrook in 2018. Early monitoring shows a lot of mosquito larvae activity.

Over the last two weeks, the City of Cranbrook completed its 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.

This week the city will be completing its second round of treatment to the alkali lakes in the Community Forest, using a helicopter to drop the Bti in the targeted areas. By completing the second phase of treatment by helicopter, the city maximizes the effect of the product by treating the larger areas much more quickly.

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

The city asks that you please do your part to help us battle these pesky critters. With possible sources of standing water around on your property will have 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

•  Wheelbarrows (pictured above)

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

City of Cranbrook

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