Delta is once again undertaking its extensive mosquito control program, but residents can play a big role in reducing the pests’ numbers.
Because the West Nile virus hasn't shown up as predicted, Metro Vancouver and Fraser Health have scaled back their surveillance programs. That hasn’t changed the way Delta carries out its mosquito control program, which involves treating known surface water mosquito development sites with a natural bacterial larvicide. The sites include salt marshes, ditches and ponds. The biological agent targets only insects and has no effect on humans, birds, or aquatic animals.
Crews also check out other sites if there are resident complaints.
The city is once again reminding people to do their part by following the “4 Ds”
DRAIN
Standing water is a breeding magnet for mosquitoes; even a filled planter container will attract them. Remove or modify as many outdoor sources of standing water on your property as possible:
Drain or remove plastic sheets that have accumulated water, including inflatable wading pools.
Remove or punch a hole at the bottom of old tires.
Drain unused ornamental water features (e.g. fountains), or aerate. Drain and refill bird baths twice a week.
Discard any unused water holding items, such as empty cans, containers, or pots.
Store wheelbarrows, watering cans or other useful potential water holding items upside down.
Clean out clogged gutters.
Maintain actively used swimming pools with proper levels of free chlorine; drain any unused and unchlorinated pools.
DRESS
Wear long sleeved pants and shirts, socks and shoes, especially during periods when mosquito activity is highest. Light coloured clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes. Tightly woven clothing is better at resisting puncturing by mosquitoes.
DUSK and DAWN
In general, mosquitoes are most active during these periods. Avoid outdoor activities during these times unless other forms of protection are being utilized. Maintain door and window screens to ensure they are in good condition; self-closing screen doors may be helpful.
DEET
DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is an insect repellant approved by Health Canada that is effective at deterring mosquitoes and other biting insects. Other approved insect repellents are icaridin, and lemon-eucalyptus oil. Repellents should be applied as per the directions on the bottle. For more information on insect repellents, visit the BC Centre of Disease Control's website.
