Control Program Personnel and Operations

Locally, mosquito ground control operations will be under the supervision of our senior biologists, Damian Regan, Curtis Fediuk, and John Henigman. Field biologist Mr. Eric Hertz, who is returning to service from 2010, will be assisted by Mike Wadeson and other staff members from time to time as the season progresses. All of our experienced staff members are very familiar with the local program.

Surveying, monitoring, and larvicide applications began in late April. Ground treatments have been made where indicated, and more intensive treatments in response to higher summer tides are expected to begin in late May.

As in past, our staff will retrieve Service Requests from the District office phone personnel. Ground control staff will receive and respond to them.

Public Communication and Education Initiatives

The attached press releases and shorter version of the program outline should be published in local community newspapers at least once at this point in the program start up, with updates to follow as warranted later in the season.

Any of these items could also be posted on the various participant websites.

We have again enhanced communications through the use of our “door knob hangers” that advise the public about the program. These were found to be highly effective in communicating with the public about has been done, or what needs to be done, on an individual property in response to a service request, monitoring activities, or field observations, as appropriate. They have already improved communications again this season.

As the season progresses, we will also be pleased to meet and review program operations with any assembled group to update them about mosquito control program operations.

Looking Towards the Future

Even with an observed 95% + mortality of larvae from larvicide treatments there can still be an emergence of enough adult mosquitoes from highly productive mosquito habitats to cause nearby annoyance. At times unexpected larval development occurring in inaccessible or unknown habitats can cause some localized adult mosquito annoyance as the total eradication of mosquitoes is not feasible and residents should be reminded of this during public information sessions and in the media.

The best permanent method to control larval mosquitoes remains the elimination of the water habitat source. Artificial containers were found to be a prime habitat in 2010, and dialogue with private owners resulted in the successful remediation of larval habitat on private land through removal and drainage. Some late season adult mosquito annoyance can be caused by such habitat, especially if they are in close proximity to humans.

To assist in developing a longer term and more sustainable solution, we will continue to focus on such habitat and, where feasible, discuss any possible water management activities at the site.

We are here to ensure the most effective and environmentally sustainable mosquito management through deployment of the available resources. We welcome your input about the program from you, other staff, Councilors and Band residents. Please call us at any time!

If you have any questions, or would like to see added communications or other press release items this season, please let us know and we will be pleased to provide them.

Yours truly,
D G Regan and Associates Ltd.
Damian Regan, BSc. RPBio

President
604.931.4565