Annual Mosquito Control Campaign Underway

The City of Saskatoon’s mosquito control program focuses on reducing mosquito populations while in their aquatic (larval) life stage. Managing mosquitos at this stage has the greatest impact on reducing adult mosquito populations.

The City regularly investigates and treats mosquito development sites across approximately 902 square kilometres, which includes the city of Saskatoon and a surrounding buffer area.

Mosquitos use standing water to reproduce. An increase in rainfall in the last few years has created habitat in places that have not been active in a very long time. We can continue to expect to see more activity as we accumulate rainfall.

Regularly changing or removing standing water can have a significant impact as some species can complete their life cycle in as little as four days.

To help control the mosquito population residents can:

• Remove any standing water from their property

• Ensure items in and around the property like pool covers, saucers under flowerpots, children’s toys, pet bowls and wading pools are regularly emptied or replaced with clean water

• Clean eavestroughs regularly so water does not collect in them

• Empty and clean bird baths twice weekly

• Keep their yard free of debris, such as old tires that can hold rainwater

• Ensure openings in rain barrels are covered with mosquito screening

• Consider treating standing water that cannot be removed or screened with a product containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)

For more information on the City’s mosquito control program, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/pests.