Slow Start To Summer Decreases Mosquitos

It’s a bit too cool these days for mosquitos but they are starting to appear around town. The agonizingly slow spring we experienced this year, though, may offer some relief.

“I think we’re two to three weeks behind where we were last year,” says Claire Watkins, the Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for the City. “With the slow Spring, things are taking a little bit longer to develop. And we’re seeing a lot less standing water with the snow melting gradually the way it did, the wind helps dry out the water. I’ve got my fingers crossed that we’re going to have a pretty good year for mosquitos.”

The City uses a bacterial insecticide to treat both mosquitos and black flies, but cannot treat in places like Cottonwood Island Park right now because the Nechako River, which is a fish-bearing body of water, is still too high. But Watkins says homeowners can do their part as well.

“Homeowners can help. They can make sure they don’t have standing water on their property. Even cleaning out your gutters, making sure that you’re changing the water in bird baths or even your pet’s water outside. I’ve seen larvae develop in there.”