By Times-Chronicle Staff
Property owners in Oliver and Osoyoos are being asked to help the regional district with a pesky problem – mosquitos.
People who have areas of standing, stagnant water bodies too large to drain on their own are encouraged to call the mosquito control program at 250-490-4142.
The program is driven by property owner requests that begin in spring and continue into September, operating on private lands only. Landowners with existing treatment sites are contacted by mail in early spring to ensure that monitoring and treatment can occur as soon as larvae are observed.
A control crew samples standing water for the presence of mosquito larvae. If the site requires treatment, a naturally occurring granular bacterial larvicide called Bti is applied to the water. This bacteria kills mosquito and biting black fly at their larval stage but does not kill adult mosquitos or harm non-target species, such as insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds or mammals.
When water bodies get too large to treat manually, a helicopter is deployed to ensure adequate coverage.
Be proactive around home
Be sure to mend screens, clean and unclog eaves-troughs and gutters, and remove water from any depressions on your roof.
Refresh outdoor pet dishes and birdbaths daily. Remove any standing water from items such as pails, boats, hot tub and pool covers, tires, plant pots, small troughs, rain barrels and tarps.
Storm water catch basins, ponds and wading pools are all places that can harbour breeding mosquitos.
