Latest News
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
City continues aggressive assault on 'skeeters
WINNIPEG — An aggressive larviciding campaign and cooler temperatures should offset weather conditions that could have created Winnipeg’s worst mosquito season since 2005, city officials said today.
City entomologist Taz Stuart said record spring rainfall has saturated the ground and left temporary pools of standing water — a scenario similar to that of spring 2005, when Winnipeg endured its worst mosquito season.
Related Items
However, Stuart said the larviciding campaign has kept the number of nuisance mosquitoes to a minimum, adding it’s hoped that there will not be a repeat of 2005.
Stuart said he’s been told the mosquito situation is better in Winnipeg than in neighbouring communities, a scenario which he attributes to Winnipeg’s aggressive larviciding efforts.
The majority of monitored standing water sites have moderate to high levels of mosquito larvae, he said, adding that city crews have been attacking them 16-hours a day, seven days a week.
To date, skeeter trap counts have been low, with less than five bugs per trap found on average.
The city reminds property owners to eliminate standing water on their properties by dumping water from containers, draining eavestroughs and covering rainwater collection containers to help reduce mosquito breeding areas.
On the cankerworm front, Stuart said the worms have reached larval maturity and will no longer be a threat to trees. The Insect Control Branch has concluded its cankerworm control program for the season.
Stuart encouraged Winnipeggers to take down tree bands now, but replace them this fall to minimize next year’s population of cankerworms.
For information on tree banding please contact 311, or visit the city’s Insect Control website at www.winnipeg.ca/bugline.
History
Updated on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 3:02 PM CDT:
Rewritten.
- Rate this

-
-
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
Post Your Comment
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
-
Faith Enduring
A look at Manitoba’s Ukrainian community through their churches
-
The Forgotten Disease
The fight to eradicate tuberculosis is far from over.
-
Flu Fight
News about the world's battle against the H1N1 flu pandemic
-
Follow the Way!
Join United Way on its journey toward lasting change and better lives.
-
Winnipeg road closures
Check if your commute is affected
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins
-
Blogs to Watch
We pick our favourite local blogs for you to follow
-
Breaking News Widget
Create and embed a Winnipeg Free Press breaking news widget on your site or blog
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
Advertisement
Most Popular
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Manitoba man killed in crash in Nebraska
- Jury finds man guilty in execution-style slaying
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Rush hour crash closes Wilkes
- Woman charged in year-old homicide case
- Will you get the H1N1 flu vaccine?
- Police looking for missing girls
- Winnipeg trucker killed in crash in Nebraska
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Find lukewarm lovers who fit your style
- Activists protest delay over Kapyong housing
- Province takes aim at stubble fires
- Addicts out in cold: workers
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Ignatieff, McFadyen do the shuffle dance
- Rush hour crash closes Wilkes
- Jury finds man guilty in execution-style slaying
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Health Canada warns vets and pet owners about drug used to treat diabetes
- Mortgage rates likely to rise soon
- 300 homes evacuated, schools closed after heavy rain, high tide flood Duncan, BC
- Activists protest delay over Kapyong housing
- Children helping children is charity's goal
- Asthma appears to be significant risk factor in kids for severe H1N1: study
- Addicts out in cold: workers
Ads by Google


PREVIOUS

6 Comments
Posted by: ZenJedi
July 4, 2009 at 10:13 AM
The city has NOT initiated any spraying yet this year. I hope the truck that you saw drive by ran over a lot of the blood suckers. :)
Posted by: ohreally
July 4, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Hey formerwpg. I've only seen a few this year. Big deal.
Posted by:
July 3, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Ah the trucks just drove by. So long blood suckers.
Posted by: ZenJedi
July 3, 2009 at 7:31 PM
In severe cases, I think the city should seriously investigate covering the city from the air like Grand Forks as opposed to our ineffective placebo technique of spraying the city section by section over 2 or 3 nights. This makes most people feel better but it doesn't actually work at all.
Over the last couple of summers I have monitored the trap counts of the areas of the city being sprayed and there is very little difference in trap counts between the areas being sprayed and those that haven't. By the time the whole city has been sprayed, there is no drop that can be attributed to the spraying.
For some strange reason, the mosquitos don't stay in their neighbourhood. Go figure.
Of course I am concerned about what chemicals they would cover the city with but if we are going to spray, lets at least get our money's worth and do something that actually works. Larviciding appears to be money well spent but our current spraying is an expensive placebo.
Posted by: formerwpg
July 3, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Ha Ha! Doesn't it make you wonder why anyone actually lives in Manitoba?! I moved away to a place where there is hardly any. I think I've seen one mosquito this year. Have fun swatting!
Posted by: 88sunlover
July 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
The control has never been the same since Randy left.....
We get eaten alive before they fix the issue...I say....NUKE them from the air like they do in Grand Forks/Fargo...
Bring in the air force ;)