City tests drones for anti-mosquito arsenal

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This article was published 28/07/2023 (829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mosquitoes beware, a new foe is in the air.

The City of Winnipeg is launching a pilot project to explore the possibility of using drones to dispense larvicide.

It hopes the new delivery system will be a more effective, more efficient and less disruptive way to kill the pests before they can fly.

“We’re hoping that the drone, in combination with our other efforts, will allow us to larvicide more effectively, so that we can minimize the amount of adult nuisance mosquitoes,” said David Wade, who oversees insect control in Winnipeg.

The city currently dispenses larvicide via helicopter or ground crews. In contrast, drones are quieter, more manoeuvrable, have a lower carbon footprint, and can target previously inaccessible habitats, Wade said.

The program begins this week, and will focus on the Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive, Windsor Park, Harbour View, Tuxedo, and Rossmere golf courses.

If drones prove to be an effective way to deliver larvicide, Winnipeg may expand the program to include all golf courses within city limits — provided private owners are willing to participate.

In the future, the program could expand to railways or other targeted areas, Wade said.

A third-party operator has been contracted to conduct the flights using a drone that measures roughly one metre in diameter. A drone of such size is capable of carrying 10 kilograms of granulated larvicide, which is enough to cover 2.5 acres.

It can fly for roughly eight minutes before depleting its battery, Wade said.

All flight routes will be pre-programmed using a GPS system, and the drone will be deployed when high amounts of larval mosquitoes are detected by the city.

Transport Canada has approved drones involved with the project to fly at night, as long as a drone pilot is on standby to assume control in the event of an issue. A second person is expected to be present during all flights to act as a watchman, Wade added.

The pilot project is operating with a $10,000 budget and will continue until the funds are depleted. The city will monitor mosquito populations to assess its effectiveness.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca