Our favourite pastime has returned for another summer, Mosquitos. The number of resident calls and emails complaining about our little friends have increased over the last six days.
The complaints were coming from all areas of our community and in response the City of Winnipeg will begin its adult nuisance mosquito fogging program on Friday, July 3, 2020. Fogging will begin at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting, at the following golf courses, public parks, and open spaces:
Assiniboine Park
Brookside Cemetery
Charleswood Dog Park
Crescent Drive Park
Fraser Meadow Park
Harbourview Park
Harte Trail
Kildonan Park
Kildonan Park Golf Course
Kings Park
Maple Grove Park
Marj Edey Park
St. Vital Cemetery
St. Vital Park
Windsor Park Golf Course
Based on the Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) factors, which include trap counts, the city-wide rating moved from MEDIUM to HIGH on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Today, the city-wide trap count is 44.
The criteria that must be met to trigger a nuisance mosquito fogging program are set out by the City of Winnipeg Adult Nuisance Mosquito Control Policy and the Provincial Pesticide Use Permit:
The city-wide Adulticiding Factor Analysis must be HIGH;
The city-wide average trap count must be a minimum of 25 female mosquitoes for two consecutive nights; and
One or more of the quadrants of the city must report at least 100 female adult mosquitoes.
These conditions were all satisfied in the last 24 hours.
Fogging occurs between 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. and will not happen when temperatures are below 13 degrees Celsius and/or wind speeds are not conducive to fogging. The insecticide DeltaGard® 20EW will be used in accordance with federally approved label directions and will be applied by licensed applicators. This insecticide has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
City-wide fogging plans and notifications
At this time, the City is targeting golf courses, public parks, and open spaces, as this is where trap counts are highest. We targeted these spaces early in the 2019 season and were not required to conduct any city-wide fogging. Our hope is this year’s preliminary activities will have the same impact. We will review trap counts on a daily basis and move on to residential fogging as needed.
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be released daily at least eight hours in advance of fogging. These PSAs will identify which areas are scheduled for treatment that night, weather permitting. The City offers an automated telephone and email notification system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or email notifications for adult mosquito control activities. Residents can visit the City of Winnipeg –Notification Registration or contact 311.
Buffer zones
Residents can apply for a 90-metre buffer zone in order to exempt their property during an adult nuisance mosquito control program. Those who want to register must provide identification that ties the registrant to the address being registered for a buffer zone. A photocopy or scanned document such as a driver’s licence or utility bill will suffice as acceptable identification proving primary residence.
All buffer zones will be respected. Crews will ensure that the sprayer is not treating within a 90-metre radius of a registered property on the front street, side street, and rear lane.
Due to COVID-19, you may not register for a buffer zone in-person. Buffer zone applications must be received through one of the following options:
Email to 311@winnipeg.ca
Fax to 311
In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg MB R2L 1V2
Do your part
Property owners are also encouraged to eliminate standing water on their properties by taking the following steps:
Dump It! - containers
Drain It! - eavestroughing or unused containers
Cover It! - rain water collection containers
Fill It! - low-lying areas
Treat It! - biological larvicide
More information
For more information, contact 311or visit the City’s Insect Control website.