The Regional District of the Okanagan Simikameen is starting its yearly Nuisance Mosquito Control Program. (Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen)
While spring may mean warmer weather, it also means the return of mosquitos, and with it, the regional district’s Nuisance Mosquito Control Program.
Since 1974, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) begins the program in spring and continues into late August.
The service is driven by resident requests and only operates on private lands.
Owners of regular ongoing sites are contacted by mail prior to the program’s start to ensure that treatment is allowed to take place if the necessary conditions are present.
The RDOS Mosquito Control Crew samples standing water at identified sites throughout the region for the presence of mosquito larvae. If the site requires treatment, a naturally occurring granular bacterial larvicide is applied to the water.
This bacteria kills mosquito and biting black fly at their larval stage but does not kill adult mosquitoes. The product does not harm any other insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds or mammals; it targets only those two species.
When water bodies get too large to treat manually, a helicopter is deployed to insure adequate coverage.
People can prevent mosquitos on their property by cleaning and unclogging gutters and removing water from any depressions on roofs, as well as any standing water from items such as pails, boats, hot tub and pool covers, pots or tarps. Anything that can hold water for 72 hours or more provides a habitat for developing mosquitos.
Along with the Town of Osoyoos, the program also covers the Town of Oliver, City of Penticton, District of Summerland and all electoral areas within the regional district.
More information about the program is available by calling the program hotline at (250) 490-4142 or toll free 1-877-610-3737.
