KELOWNA – The mosquito control program started a month earlier than usual this spring in the central Okanagan and that is paying off in some high infestation areas such as the Mission Creek Greenway in Kelowna.
“Last year was horrendous, just terrible. It’s better than last year,” says regular trail user Debra Kasperd.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan has budgeted $185,000 for an environmental firm to spray a biological agent that kills mosquito larvae into about 300 still-water sites and 10,000 road-side catch basins.
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“Our data for the start of this year is real good because we started earlier. Less people are calling in and we’re noticing a lot less mosquitoes. Last year here you wouldn’t want to be standing still, you’d be running around,” says Stavros Angelatos with BWP Consulting as he stands along the banks of Mission Creek.
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The bacterial extract being sprayed into the ponds contains a protein that kills mosquito larvae when ingested.
It doesn’t harm other insects or animals.
People at home can also help to “fight the bite” by regularly draining any outside sources of stagnant water such as buckets and bird-baths.
Central Okanagan residents can report mosquito infestations by calling 1-866-679-8473.
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