Mosquito Monitoring

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has started larval surveying and mosquito monitoring around the South Okanagan.

The Surveillance and West Nile Virus Mosquito Vector Control Program of the RDOS is being run by D.G. Regan and Associates of Vancouver.

Andrew Reeder, Engineering Services Manager of the RDOS says that there are two different types of mosquitoes that they are tracking and exterminating.

“There are two types of mosquitoes, there is a 'nuisance' variety and then there is the Culex variety, which is a carrier of the West Nile Virus. We treat for both, we have a program which specifically targets the larval form of the Culex mosquito,” says Reeder.

He says the pesticide that they use is environmentally friendly and affects the larva without damaging the surrounding area.

“It is a pellet that we put in habitats like catch basins, stagnant pools of water and cut off-oxbows that have no flow through them, that is the type of habitat that the Culex likes,” says Reeder.

He says the biggest problem spots in Penticton are the catch basins and he recommends some ways that people can make their backyards less attractive to mosquitoes.

“If people have standing water on their property, like old tires or tin cans or birdbaths, those spots should be emptied regularly,” says Reeder.

He says that even though the RDOS West Nile Program has only been around for the last three years, they are seeing an increase in the number of Culex mosquitoes.

“It is standing water and hot temperature that bring out the larger numbers of the Culex mosquito and we have seen quite a few, especially around Osoyoos,” says Reeder.

He says there are physical differences between the two kinds of mosquitoes, but they are not easy to spot unless you work with them on a daily basis.

The RDOS and Regan and Associates will be treating standing water in the Okanagan until September.