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Mosquito Control Overview

As part of our West Nile virus and Mosquito Control Education Program, we attend numerous events throughout the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (see our News and Events page). We are available for trade shows, municipal council meetings, club meetings, outdoor festivals and fairs, Farmer’s Markets and education workshops. We are able to provide presentations of any length, from a 10 minute Program Overview, to a full-day mosquito and WNv workshop and we can gear these to any age groups from preschoolers through seniors. We also have an information booth that includes poster boards, live mosquito larvae and numerous handouts, and of course, knowledgeable staff to answer questions.

2010 Key Activities and Accomplishments

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The TNRD administered a mosquito control program that focuses on the environmentally sound practices using biological agents to control mosquito larval populations before they emerge as adults. In 2010 the program involved:
• Continued treatment of standing water and nuisance mosquito control species and vector species throughout the TNRD and on First Nations lands
• Treatment of 1,218 hectares of land over the course of the summer
• Deployed 29 light mosquito traps throughout the north Thompson watershed. Reduced mosquito numbers, compared to 2008 levels, were likely due to lower water levels coupled with effective mosquito control activities
• Monitored the Mosquito Advisory Telephone Line. Information was passed onto TNRD mosquito control contractor BWP Consulting Inc. to address public concerns regarding mosquito counts and new larval development sites as well as respond to questions regarding Corvids and the West Nile virus
• Administered 2010 WNV program for member municipalities and First nations with funding provided by UBCM on behalf of the Ministry of Health
• To date, there has been no evidence of West Nile virus activity within the TNRD
• VectoLex WSP (10 g pouches) (active ingredient Bacillus sphaericus) were applied to 3,163 catch basins in Kamloops, Ashcroft, Barriere, Chase, Cache Creek, and Lytton. This was the highest recorded number of catch basins treated in the TNRD historically.
• Public education consisted of public open houses, radio and TV advertisements, and the production of a brochure for swimming pool owners educating them on the importance of keeping pools clean, chlorinated and covered to minimize larval habitat.
• The West Nile virus program was featured as part of the departments travelling roadshow in the fall




2011 Objectives

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The 2011 mosquito control program will involve extensive outreach and education focusing on prevention of mosquitos around the home. Timely treatment of approximately 625 known larval development sites and 216 sites in the West Nile virus (WNv) vector program will also occur. These treatments are the corner stone of a very successful program. The TNRD will administer WNv funding again in 2011 for the regional, municipalities and First Nations. Snowpacks are currently measuring average and slightly above average in the South and North Thompson valleys. A cool prorogated spring, coupled with a quick melt could result in slightly higher than average river peaks. The result may be the North and South Thompson Rivers could produce an average to above average year for mosquitoes. It is too early to tell how this scenario will play out however, it is predicted an average number of snow-melt ponds requiring larvacide treatment will be produced by the spring freshet.




Pest Management Plan

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The Pest Management Plan (PMP) will serve as a strategic management planning tool which will allow for the effective prevention and control of larval mosquitoes for the entire Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) including all public, private and First Nations Reserve Lands (with permission of the applicable owner, agency or authority). Adult mosquitoes are not only a source of annoyance, and are also capable of transmitting arboviruses to both humans and domestic animals. Adult biting counts of more than 3 per minute are intolerable for most people, and can negatively affect outdoor worker performance and human activities. The primary mosquito species that are known to transmit arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNv) are common within the TNRD. It is the TNRD’s objective and obligation to minimize the annoyance and potential for spreading disease from mosquitoes. The recently enacted Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulations provides the statutory authority for pesticide use within this PMP. Integrated pest management (IPM) principles are used under this PMP. These principles involve the selection of treatment option(s) that most effectively target mosquitoes while minimizing impacts to man and the environment. The IPM techniques detailed within this PMP include prevention and reduction of mosquito breeding habitat, as well as physical, biological and chemical control of larval and adult mosquitoes. Extreme caution will be exercised when working around water bodies, water intakes, apiaries, domestic wells and other environmentally sensitive features



Responsibility for the Integrated Mosquito Control Program


Within the TNRD, the primary contact for information relating to this Pest Management Plan is Don May, P.Eng., Manager of Environmental Health Services. Mr. May can be contacted at (250) 377-8673 or at 1-877-377-8673.



Legislation Governing Mosquito Control


The BC Integrated Pest Management Act (IPMA) and the Integrated Pest Management Regulation (IPMR) require pesticides to be used pursuant to the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This requires the development of a PMP (this document) and the use of pesticides in accordance with the terms and conditions of this legislation and the commitments made in this PMP.



For more information on the Pest Management Plan - Click Here