Program Information
The CSRD currently administers mosquito control programs for the reduction of the nuisance effect of mosquitos in:
- Golden and Electoral Area A
- Revelstoke and Electoral Area B
- Scotch Creek (Resumed in 2021)
Morrow BioScience Ltd. provides the program in Golden and Electoral Area A and BWP Consulting Inc. provides the program for Revelstoke/Electoral Area B.
If you have questions about the CSRD's program, which uses, a bacterial larvacide to control mosquitos, see the Frequently Asked Questions below:
Program FAQ
Concerned about catching COVID-19 or other diseases from mosquitos? Your questions may be answered in this Frequently Asked Questions specifically focused on mosquito disease transmission.
Disease transmission FAQ
Reinstatment of Mosquito Control in Scotch Creek
The mosquito control service in the Scotch Creek area will return in 2021 after the program was cancelled for the 2020 season.
The CSRD and the Little Shuswap Lake Band have amended their service agreement to reflect the program's return. BC Parks has also issued permission for the CSRD to conduct mosquito control treatments in Shuswap Lake Provincial Park. Nuisance mosquito treatments will take place in Spring 2021 and continue through the season.
Background
In 2019, BC Parks denied the CSRD’s application to conduct mosquito control in Shuswap Lake and Tsútswecw Provincial parks. In addition, the Little Shuswap Lake Band determined it would not allow the CSRD to treat for nuisance mosquitos on their lands in the Hilliam Road area.
The CSRD decided to cancel the 2020 program because those restrictions removed critical mosquito habitat areas from the program, rendering it ineffective.
Mosquito nuisance in Scotch Creek was an issue throughout the 2020 season and resulted in a large number of complaints from the public to various government agencies. As a result, the Little Shuswap Lake Band and BC Parks began discussions with the CSRD on options for bringing mosquito control back to the area in time for the 2021 mosquito season.
In order to do this, the CSRD Board approved spending up to $2,500 for the review and update of the Pest Management Plan, which is required to proceed. Once completed, BC Parks, the Little Shuswap Lake Band and the CSRD will work to set the direction of the program. The Draft Pest Management Plan is now available for viewing at the link below.
View Ministry of Environment Decision
View Board report
View Draft Pest Management Plan
Policy and the program
Mosquito control programs administered by the CSRD are developed and delivered to address the control of nuisance and annoyance factors associated with mosquito activity. The Regional District's mosquito program is not directed at controlling or addressing the health impact of mosquitoes, including in relation to the West Nile Virus. The Regional District will not be investigating, responding to or in any way addressing the potential health impact of mosquitoes as part of this program.
Mosquito Facts
- Mosquitoes need standing water to develop.
- Mosquito habitats include ponds, sloughs, river flood plains, and tidal marshes.
- Man-made habitats include ditches, tires, bird baths, unused swimming pools, boats, eaves troughs.
- Only females bite because a blood meal is required for egg production.
- Some female mosquitoes take multiple blood meals and produce several generations during a single season.
- Only one mating is required to fertilize a lifetime of egg production.
- Mosquitoes can live from one to two months and others over winter to live up to a year or more.
- Mosquitoes can travel up to 20 miles.
- In the Canadian Arctic, mosquitoes can bite at the rate of more than 1,000 per minute.
Myths about Mosquito Control
Repellents
- Sound and Electric units are marketed with no test results and these devices have no repellent effects
- Citronella (plants and candles) - there is no data to support claims - pleasant odour does not guarantee results
- Skin Moisturizing Oil - field tests do not support claims
- Mosquitoes are 30 times more sensitive to DEET than to skin moisturizers
Control
- Bug Zappers - mosquitoes comprise less than 50% of the catch and usually kills more beneficial insects than mosquitoes. Bug Zappers actually attract mosquitoes.
- Birds - ornithologists state Purple Martins and other swallow-like birds do not like to eat mosquitoes which make up less than 3% of their diet.
- Bats - bat diets consist mainly of beetles, wasps, ants, flies, stoneflies, mayflies, moths and grasshoppers. Mosquitoes make up less than 10% of their diet.
Tips to Reduce Mosquito Annoyance
Since mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle, the source of a mosquito problem can be just about anywhere water can collect. You can help reduce mosquito populations around the home by eliminating these sites and by:
- removing discarded containers from around your property;
- replacing water in bird baths and livestock troughs regularly;
- cleaning clogged eavestroughs, drain pipes and ditches; and storing boats, canoes and other objects so they do not collect rain water.
Mosquitoes are attracted to humans because of the heat, the carbon dioxide we exhale and fragrances in items such as soaps, perfumes, lotions, hair treatments and other personal-care products. To reduce the annoyance of mosquitoes:
- install and maintain tight-fitting window and door screens to help keep mosquitoes out of the home;
- wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing; and remember that heat and moisture from barbeques attracts mosquitoes;
- after cooking, move away to enjoy your meal.
Break the Cycle
A pro-active control program concentrates efforts on the physical and biological control of larvae before they become a nuisance. The most permanent prevention of adult mosquito annoyance is through the physical reduction of the problem, at the source. Where draining and filling of wetlands and other mosquito habitats is impractical and undesirable, overall reduction of adult mosquitoes is best achieved through larval control.
Biological control using the product VectoBac 200G and Vectobac breaks the cycle by controlling larvae. This material contains a naturally occurring bacterium commonly known as Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis). It has no harmful effects on beneficial insects, frogs, fish, birds or mammals.
Contact Us
Golden/Electoral Area A
Morrow BioScience Ltd.
TF: 1.877.986.3363Revelstoke/ Electoral Area B
BWP Consulting
TF: 1.866.679.8473
Contact Us