Those darn mosquitos!
Well, the regional district loathes them as much as anyone, so once again it has begun its annual program to lessen their numbers.
Since 1974, the Nuisance Mosquito Control Program has operated from spring to late August. The service is driven by resident requests and operates on private lands only.
Owners of regular, ongoing sites are contacted annually by mail prior to the program start to ensure treatment is allowed to take place during the right conditions.
Mosquito control crews sample 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 ensure adequate coverage.
If you live in Oliver and Osoyoos (including the rural area) and have standing, stagnant water too large to drain on your own, please call the Mosquito Control Program at 1-877-610-3737 (x 4142) or 250-490-4142.
The RDOS encourages people to mend screens, clean and unclog eavestroughs and gutters, and remove water from any depressions on rooftops.
Refresh outdoor pet dishes and bird baths daily, and remove any standing water from items such as pails, boats, hot tub and pool covers, tires, plant pots, small troughs, rain barrels, and tarps.
Look around for anything that can hold water (for 72 hours or more) as it will provide an excellent habitat for developing mosquitos. Yard items such as storm water catch basins, ephemeral ponds and wading pools are all places that can harbour breeding mosquitos.
