Peel Region is kicking off its mosquito larvicide program today.
“Peel Region will be completing larviciding in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga from May 13 to Sept. 30,” the region stated in a news release.
The region says it conducts the program to control immature mosquitoes in stagnant water “to prevent their development into carriers of West Nile virus.”
The “environmentally friendly” larvicides, it said, are applied as granules, pellets or briquettes to municipal catch basins and selected municipal sites with regularly occurring stagnant water.
Not all mosquito breeding sites will be treated with larvicides, explained the region, “as some sites have mosquitoes that are not important in West Nile virus transmission or contain mosquito types that are poorly controlled by larvicides.”
Residents can also sign up to have a free larvicide treatment applied to catch basins located on their residential property, such as those in backyards. Anyone interested can apply here.
Extreme rainfall can cause stagnant water on properties, potentially leading to mosquito breeding grounds. The region is asking residents to remove water that has accumulated in old tires, rainwater barrels, toys and wading pools, flowerpots and wheelbarrows and pool covers and tarps.
“Stagnant water is ideal for mosquitoes to breed, especially from mid-May to the end of August,” reiterates the region, adding it has a webpage to report stagnant water.
West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms, severity, and duration can vary from person to person. Peel Public Health is advising people to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Avoid areas with many mosquitoes, cover exposed skin, use an insect repellent when appropriate and remove stagnant water on your property.
Canada reported 167 human cases of West Nile virus last year, including 72 in Ontario.
