April 8, 2022
While there will be no aerial mosquito program in 2022, the City of Edmonton continues its mosquito program with robust and targeted ground and ditch control measures. There will also be an increased emphasis on a natural approach to mosquito control, including novel biological technology, habitat modification, enhanced biodiversity surveillance and monitoring, as well as enhanced mosquito program monitoring. Additional information on these enhancements will be presented to Council in the coming weeks.
Ground and ditch control
Some efforts to control mosquitoes with federally approved pesticides remain in place. Ditch and ground mosquito programs will continue this season, targeting mosquito larvae developing in temporary bodies that form from snowmelt and rainfall in ditches and low lying areas near roads, shared paths, sidewalks, powerlines and other utility corridors. Crews will apply a product derived from a type of soil bacteria that is only toxic to mosquito larvae and some families of aquatic flies.
The City is respectful of the concerns to protect the health of the environment and the health of residents in areas where pesticide is used. The products and methods used to target mosquito larvae are approved by the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the World Health Organization, and have been shown to have minimal impact on other organisms that share these control areas. These programs do have a significant impact on local mosquito populations but will not cover mosquitoes that migrate to the city from rural areas adjacent to City Limits.
“The aim of our ground control is to keep the size of the waves of mosquitoes that emerge after major rainfall to lower, more tolerable levels. Our approach has been to control, not eliminate mosquitoes, while protecting other organisms in the environment,” said Philip Herritt, Director of Infrastructure Operations. “The City of Edmonton’s Mosquito Control Program continues to proactively ensure our city parks and outdoor spaces are pleasant, healthy and safe to enjoy.”
A more natural approach
Natural control methods for mosquitoes are linked with restoring and preserving natural habitats, especially for natural mosquito predators. The City’s Integrated Pest Management team is working with our naturalization groups to develop habitats that allow animals that feed on mosquitoes, like dragonflies and bats, to flourish. Some of the programs we currently partner with include developing and naturalizing stormwater facilities where dragonflies tend to develop, and installing bat roosting sites in naturalization areas. Developing other biological control options will also be reviewed as the season progresses.
These operational enhancements, in addition to the existing ground, ditch and surveillance programs, will increase our understanding of the efficacy of alternative techniques for mosquito control, and allow us to make informed decisions for program modifications in the future.
Keeping mosquitoes under control at home
Edmontonians can help keep mosquito populations under control during the early spring and summer. Residents should check their backyards for places where water can collect and become stagnant, including:
- rubber tires stored outdoors
- eavestroughs
- birdbaths or water fountains
- fish ponds or ornamental pools
- areas of ground where puddles naturally collect
Stagnant pools of water are places where mosquito larvae can develop. To prevent them from becoming nesting ground for biting mosquitoes, you should:
- clear out standing water in yards or eavestroughs
- cover rain barrels with lids to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs
- replenish birdbaths, fountains, fish ponds and pools so they do not become stagnant
When mosquitoes do emerge, you can avoid bites by:
- avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when the insects are most active
- covering up with long pants and sleeves
- using an effective repellent
- running an oscillating fan when out on your deck or patio, as moving air is more effective at discouraging mosquitoes from coming near you than chemical products like mosquito coils
