Program underway to control mosquitoes in the Okanagan

Break out that mosquito spray: recent wet weather means more standing water and with that, more chances of mosquitoes in the Okanagan.

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan has contracted a company to conduct larval mosquito control in the Central Okanagan East and West electoral areas, the District of Lake Country, the city of Kelowna and a small section of West Kelowna Estates in the District of West Kelowna. Pellets that kill mosquito larvae will be put into areas of standing water with larvae. The Regional District says the pellets are non-toxic.

The aim of the program is to control and prevent the risk of the West Nile Virus, which is transmitted through mosquitoes. The program does not include private property.

You can protect yourself by wearing light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and long pants.

You are also urged to remove standing water sources to reduce potential breeding sites for mosquitoes on their property. You are asked to cover rain barrels and drain standing water from items such as pool covers, saucers under plant pots, garbage cans, birdbaths, wading pools and pet bowls.