Mosquito Control Program

MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM PUBLIC MEETING

May 06, 2024 3pm—6pm

Attention Duncan Dam, Meadow Creek, Cooper Creek, Lardeau, Argenta Flats, and Pineridge subdivision residents!

Drop in to the Lardeau Valley Community Club, any time after 3pm for a coffee or tea and meet with your Area Director, Staff from RDCK and MBL to discuss the Mosquito Control Program and plans for 2024. There will be a facilitated Question & Answer period between 5-6pm.

REMINDER: If you are a resident in the Meadow Creek or Pine Ridge Areas with questions or concerns regarding mosquito control, please contact Morrow Biosciences Ltd. directly via their hotline at 1-844-313-1913.

Morrow BioScience Ltd. 2023 Early Season Report

In April 2023, Morrow BioScience Ltd. (MBL) released their 2023 Early Season Report for the RDCK Mosquito Control Program. The goal of the pre-season report is to present predictions for the 2023 mosquito season based on current environmental conditions and anticipated climate influences.

The report includes a discussion regarding the magnitude of potential flooding within the Meadow Creek and Pine Ridge regions of Electoral Area ‘D’, as it relates to floodwater and snowmelt mosquito larval abundance. Supporting data include current snowpack information within the basins contributing to the Duncan River and Kootenay Lake. The weather forecast for the spring and summer are outlined and discussed as they pertain to the potential impact on the regional mosquito production.

This report offers an approximate evaluation of how the mosquito season may develop based on current weather predictions and snow levels; it is possible that conditions could change in late April. The midseason report will have more thorough explanations of environmental conditions affecting floodwater mosquito larval levels and an update on all deliverables.

Morrow BioScience Ltd. 2022 Year-End Updates

On December 9, 2022, Morrow BioScience Ltd. (MBL) released their 2022 Year-End Report for the RDCK Mosquito Control Program. The report provides a summary of the treatments, communications, and other activities undertaken during the 2022 mosquito season in additon to characterizing the environmental conditions and climate influences.

Season Highlights:

The 2022 Duncan River peak was approximately 0.35 m higher than the 2021 peak and 0.37 m higher than the 2020 peak.
The 2022 Kootenay Lake peak was approximately 1.28 m higher than the 2021 peak and 0.46 m higher than the 2020 peak.
On April 1st, the snowpack in the West Kootenay Basin and the Upper Columbia Basin were 101 and 115 percent of normal, respectively.
La Nina weather patterns augmented the snowpack in contributing basins through May.
The freshet was delayed by 2-4 weeks.
Local precipitation accumulation for May and June combined was >40 mm above average.
Peak River and Lake levels exceeded those since 2018.
A compounded number of mosquito eggs left to hatch, the late freshet, and sustained high water levels led to high larval abundance in 2022.
Two aerial campaigns were required within the Meadow Creek and Pine Ridge mosquito program purview; floodwater mosquito habitat associated with the Duncan River and Kootenay Lake was aerially treated on June 10 and June 29.
Total area treated by air was 673 ha (2,694 kg granular Aquabac®).
Ground treatments at floodwater mosquito development sites in Meadow Creek were applied to 90 ha (361 kg granular Aquabac®).
Ground treatments at snowmelt and permanent-water mosquito development sites in Pine Ridge were applied to 4.4 ha (17.5 kg).
A total of six concern calls were received to the Mosquito Hotline in 2022; calls were received from June 29 - July 14.
A total of two concern emails were received by MBL.
The timeline for annoyance reports coincides with the adult mosquito dispersal timeline following peak River and Lake levels.
MBL staff presented at the 2022 Town Hall event hosted by the RDCK on May 4th.
The BCCDC has yet to provide an update on West Nile virus cases in the province, but a report is expected in mid-December. Relatively low levels of West Nile virus activity were reported in Washington State and Idaho State following a cooler-than-normal spring and early summer.

To report standing water or adult mosquito nuisance, please email the Mosquito Hotline: info@morrowbioscience.com or call the numbers listed below.

Visit MBL's website to learn more about mosquitoes, read Frequently Asked Questions and access their blog.

2021 Pest Management Program Application Information for Pest Management Plan Number RDCK-PMP-2021/2026

The RDCK is renewing a Pest Management Plan and will submit the plan for approval under the Integrated Pest Management Act. This Plan will describe a Mosquito Control Program using Integrated Pest Management, including the use of insecticides.

Purpose: Mosquito Control for the purpose of nuisance control.
Application Method: Treatment of mosquito larval development sites by hand and aerial application.
Location: The areas to be included in this Pest Management Plan (PMP) application are limited to public and private lands within the following existing program areas:

The floodplain area below the Duncan Dam between the south end of Duncan Lake and the north end of Kootenay Lake. Within this floodplain are the following communities: Duncan Dam, Meadow Creek and Cooper Creek.
Within the boundary of the RDCK Bylaw 1642 for the Pineridge subdivision area.

Pesticide: Yearly totals up to, but not exceeding:

1,000 ha with Aquabac (PCP No. 26863) (Bacillus thuringiensis var israeliensis)
1,000 ha with Aquabac XT (PCP No. 26860) (Bacillus thuringiensis var israeliensis)
1,000 ha with Aquabac 200 G (PCP No. 19466) (Bacillus thuringiensis var israeliensis)

A selection of insecticides has been chosen to increase the ability to target mosquito populations in the most environmentally responsible method possible. All products listed are registered in Canada for the intended use. Bacillus thuringiensis var israeliensis has been chosen to control larval mosquitoes in their development sites. These pesticides are target specific, non-residual, and non-toxic.

The RDCK will not treat the total area of all the products listed above but will choose the best method to treat with the least environmental impact. All products are registered for mosquito control in Canada.

This project will begin April 30, 2021 and be completed by April 30, 2026.

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address below.

Any member of the public wishing to view the application or associated material can do so online or by requesting a digital copy at the contact number below (arrangements can be made if digital access is not possible). If clarification is required regarding this application, please contact the applicant:

Regional District of Central Kootenay
PO Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive
Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
Attention: Todd Johnston
PH: (250) 352-1523
Email: TJohnston@rdck.bc.ca

Report Mosquito Problems - Pineridge and Duncan Dam Areas

Residents covered under the Pineridge Subdivision Area Mosquito Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1642 and Portion of Electoral Area D Mosquito Control Extended Service Area Establishment Bylaw No. 1293 can report serious concerns regarding the mosquito program.

During Regular Business Hours: 250-352-1523 / 1-800-268-7325 (Ext. 1523)
(8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Mon - Fri)
After Regular Business Hours: 250-352-1525 / 1-844-313-1913

Residents are encouraged to call during regular business hours for issues that are not time sensitive. NOTE: The after hours toll-free number is not always responded to immediately. Leave a message and we will endeavor to respond the same day.

Since 2001 the RDCK has coordinated a mosquito control program in a portion of Electoral Area D (Duncan Dam) Service Area and the Pineridge Subdivision Service Area. Detailed information on the Mosquito Control Program. Here are some simple actions you can take right in your own backyard to help reduce local mosquito populations and make summer a little more comfortable.

The 2021 Final Report prepared by Morrow BioScience summarizes the 2021 mosquito control season.

The Pre-season Report prepared by Morrow BioScience provides predictions for the 2022 mosquito season based on current environmental conditions and anticipated climate influences.

The goal of the Program is to minimize the nuisance mosquito population to a tolerable level in the Area D-Duncan Dam and Pineridge Sudivision service areas. Contracted nuisance control activitied are undertaken in an effort to avoid negative impacts to the local economy and quality of life of our residents which can result from a high nuisance mosquito population. The RDCK's program is primarliy focused on larval mosquito control through ground and aerial application of biological larvacides, but may also involve additional work related to West Nile Virus surveillance and control.

The content on this page was last updated May 2 2024 at 9:13 AM