With river levels rising, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is getting a jump on mosquito season and has launched its mosquito control program for 2013.
The FVRD’s nuisance mosquito control program focusses on the largest source of mosquitoes in the Fraser Valley — those that hatch along the Fraser River corridor as river levels start to rise. The FVRD’s contractor, Morrow Bioscience Ltd., has already started to monitor and map known breeding sites.
Floodwater sites are treated with a non‐toxic bacterial larvacide that specifically targets the mosquito in its larval stage before it can fly. This bacterial larvacide is an effective and environmentally‐friendly method of controlling nuisance mosquitoes without harming other species. The FVRD does not conduct fogging or spraying of chemicals that kill flying adult mosquitoes.
While the program is effective at reducing mosquito populations, it does not eradicate them. Residents are encouraged to:
• check for and eliminate sources of standing water such as saucers under flower pots, bird baths, old tires, pet dishes, gutters, pool covers, trampolines, tarps, etc.;
• maintain and chlorinate swimming pools;
• empty and cover kiddie pools when not in use;
• cover rain barrels with fine mesh.
For mosquito control inquiries or to report mosquito breeding sites within the Fraser River corridor, call 1‐888‐733‐2333 or send an e-mail to mosquitoes@fvrd.bc.ca. Residents can also stay informed of mosquito treatment by following Morrow Bioscience on Twitter (@morrowmosquito) or on Facebook (facebook/com/morrowmosquito).