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Mosquitoes are back — but they don’t have to take over your summer. The Regional District of Central Okanagan is tackling known development sites and roadside catch basins, but keeping the buzz at bay takes all of us. Small actions around your home can go a long way in reducing mosquito populations and helping everyone enjoy a more comfortable summer outdoors.
Take action at home
Standing water is the number one source of mosquito development. Residents are encouraged to remove sources of stagnant water around their homes, such as plant pots, garbage cans, old tires and pool covers. Even a few millimetres of water are enough for larvae to thrive.
Rain barrels should be covered with mesh to keep mosquitoes out, and birdbaths, pet bowls and wading pools should be emptied or refreshed at least twice a week. In man-made ponds, consider adding aeration or introducing fish that feed on mosquito larvae.
To protect against bites, use approved repellents, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and avoid heavily treed or bushy areas at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Checking and repairing window screens is another simple way to keep mosquitoes from getting inside.
Curbing mosquitoes at the curb
While residents take steps at home, the Regional District of Central Okanagan is also doing its part to manage mosquito populations.
Since April, professionals from Duka Environmental Ltd., contracted by the RDCO, have been monitoring more than 300 known breeding sites throughout the region and applying a biological larvicide called Bti. This larvicide targets mosquito larvae but is non-toxic to people, pets, other aquatic insects, fish and other wildlife.
“Our goal is to control developing mosquito populations at their source, which will suppress their numbers and reduce the potential for adult mosquito nuisance and disease transmission, such as West Nile virus. The public is encouraged to participate in program success by managing water sources around their properties and supporting natural mosquito predators like birds, bats and dragonflies,” says Curtis Fediuk, Senior Biologist of Duka Environmental Services Ltd.
The battle against mosquitoes moves to roadside catch basins in many Central Okanagan neighbourhoods later this month. From June 16 to 20, weather permitting, Duka crews will treat more than 12,000 catch basins in Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Westbank First Nation, a portion of West Kelowna Estates and the Sunset Ranch area. Crews in high-visibility vests on scooters and e-bikes will drop water-soluble pouches of larvicide into the basins to control developing mosquito larvae. A second round of treatment is planned for mid-July.
The RDCO is asking motorists and cyclists to please give field staff extra space while they work along curbs and bike lanes.
Residents in participating areas can report mosquito concerns online at rdco.com/mosquitoes or by calling Duka Environmental at 1-800-681-3472.
Learn more about the program and what you can do to help at rdco.com/mosquitoes.
The Regional District provides nuisance mosquito control services in the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation, the Sunset Ranch community in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area and a small section of West Kelowna Estates in the City of West Kelowna.
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