Are you raising your own mosquitoes?

Reducing the Mosquito Population in Greater Moncton

The Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission is seeking your participation in effectively controlling mosquito population in your neighborhood. There are many instances where homeowners inadvertently breed mosquitoes in their own back yard. It may be surprising just how little water is required to breed hundreds of mosquitoes.

Go through the following checklist and see how you may be contributing to the mosquito population in your neighborhood.


Mosquito Sources and Corrective Actions

     
Rain
Gutters:
 Gutters can fill with leaves and other debris that can obstruct the flow of water. Enough water can collect to produce mosquitoes. 
   
Swimming
Pools:
 Any pool is large enough to produce enough mosquitoes for the whole neighborhood. It is important to keep pools free of debris, especially small wading pools if not in use. Pool covers can also hold enough water to cause a problem. Keep water clean and chlorinated. 
   
Tires:
 These items can produce a very large population of mosquitoes. Store all tires in a shed or indoors. If a tire must be unprotected, drill holes in them so that they don't hold water. 
   
Flower Pots:
 Reservoirs within the pots or dishes under the pots can hold enough water to produce mosquitoes.
   
Bird Baths:
 Keep free of debris and change the water at least once a week.
   
Garbage &
Recycling Cans:
 Cut holes in the very bottom so that they don't hold water.
   
Tarps:
 Always keep tarps tight and drain any excess water.
   
Ornamental
Ponds:
 Stock with fish and remove excess vegetation.
   
Tree Holes:
 Drain, fill, or remove limb from the tree.
   
Standing
Water:
Eliminate by draining or filling.
   
Others:
 Buckets, cans, cover, etc.
   
Remember, the most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding sites.
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Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites:

  • Avoid areas of high mosquito infestation.
  • Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn or dusk
    when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and a hat when outdoors.
  • Use mosquito repellents containing DEET. Use a DEET concentration of less than 10%
    for toddlers. Consult your physician before applying DEET to young children.
  • Restrict the outdoor play of children if mosquitoes are present.
  • Drain all water holding containers around the home.
  • The very young, the elderly and persons with depressed immune
    systems are at most risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites.
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West Nile Virus:

Information Links

Health Canada – West Nile Virus
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/index.html

West Nile Virus Home Page - CDC Division of Vector Borne Infectious Diseases (DVBID)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

New Brunswick, Health and Wellness – West Nile Virus – Reducing the Risk
http://www.gnb.ca/0053/wnv-vno/index-e.asp

The CBC's, "The National" coverage of West Nile Virus
http://cbc.ca/news/background/westnile/

CTV’s, West Nile Coverage
http://www.ctv.ca/generic/WebSpecials/westnile/

Canwest Global’s, West Nile Virus News and Information
http://www.canada.com/health/westnilevirus/index.html
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Mosquito Fact and Fiction:
  • 32 mosquito species occur in the Greater Moncton Area, over 3300 worldwide.
  • A single female can lay over 200 eggs at a time, which can survive for more than five years before hatching.
  • All mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle.
  • Not all species bite humans and only the female bites. The female needs the blood as a protein source to produce her eggs. Mosquitoes feed on nectar from small flowers and grasses. Some mosquito species prefer to bite birds, others horses, and some will even bite frogs and turtles.
  • Mosquitoes can fly considerable distances, some up to 30 km.
  • Mosquitoes do not breed in grasses or shrubs although as adults they will often rest in these areas during the day.
  • Mosquitoes are responsible for more human death than any other living creature.
  • Mosquitoes do not transmit AIDS. Mosquitoes do transmit dog and cat heartworm.

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Services Provided:

 

The following is a list of services provided to the Greater Moncton area by the Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission.

  1. Ground level mosquito larvae abatement within the control zone.
  2. Liability insurance protection for work incidental to mosquito control within the activity of the Commission.
  3. The purchase, storage and application of the larvicide: Bti
  4. The supply and maintenance of pesticide application equipment.
  5. Research and development of newer and safer methods of mosquito control.
  6. Training of mosquito control personnel.
  7. Advice and direction concerning mosquito control problems.
  8. Research and advice on public means of control.

The Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission does not deal with any other pests other than mosquitoes. The Commission is not responsible for mosquito control on any private property.

Mosquitoes are most effectively controlled by dealing with them in the larval growth stage, not as adults.

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Facts about the Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission:


The City of Moncton first initiated mosquito control efforts in 1954. This effort was continued by the City of Moncton until 1961 when the Greater Moncton Mosquito Control Authority was formed. This brought about a cooperative effort among the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview to control mosquitoes and mosquito breeding habitats. In 1983, the organization was restructured and incorporated as the Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission, which also brought about Provincial financial contributions for control of strategic unincorporated areas.

In the early days, mosquito control relied heavily on volunteer efforts. Up to 30 area captains and 300 volunteers would conduct larvae surveillance and control efforts. Originally control measures consisted of aerial application of DDT, burning marsh grasses and chemical fogging to control adult populations. Through diligent monitoring efforts, mosquito control staff often found older methods of control to be unsuitable before government regulators discovered problems. For example, the use of DDT was discontinued because of its harmful environmental effects before government regulators banned its use.

The Commission now employs up to 15 university students each year, most of which are biology students. Environmental monitoring continues to be a major part of each year's efforts. Control measures still rely heavily on field surveys for larva development but control measures continue to improve in their specific control of mosquito larvae.

For more information on the work of the Greater Moncton Pest Control Commission, or how you can play a part in mosquito control, contact us at (506) 859-2605

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