Rocky View County (RVC) will be offering a webinar later this week to help residents reclaim their green spaces from pesky mosquito populations.
The May 27 session will provide residents with information about mosquito habitats, control techniques, and general knowledge to help them manage the bug population on their properties.
“The incentive is to educate [residents] on ways to reduce mosquitoes on their property and make being outside more enjoyable,” said Laura Poile, agricultural services officer for RVC.
According to Poile, the County receives a number of calls each year from residents looking for mosquito control options – especially in years when there are higher amounts of precipitation.
“Around the world, mosquito bites can lead to a range of diseases including Malaria and the Zika virus,” Poile said. “In Canada, a health concern is West Nile virus.”
Although the risk of contracting West Nile is very low, she added many people have allergic reactions to mosquito bites.
Poile said she hopes the webinar will help residents learn and feel confident about controlling and reducing mosquito populations on their property, reclaiming their backyard from the “pesky critters.”
“Like all our workshops, we provide presenters who are knowledgeable about the subjects they are speaking on,” she said. “This workshop is no different – residents will have the knowledge to reduce the impact mosquitoes are making on their property.”
The session will be hosted by Prairie Environmental Services (PES), a weed and pest control company based out of Okotoks. A representative from PES will delve into mosquito reduction techniques, such as eliminating standing water where the bugs might lay their eggs, or installing bat boxes and carbon dioxide traps.
The session will also include education on the mosquito’s lifecycle and the best time to treat your property for the pests.
“The workshop will cover everything you would want to know about mosquitoes that you didn’t think you needed to know,” said Danielle Grant, owner of PES.
The County has been offering mosquito management sessions for a number of years, according to Grant. She said that with the increasing development of land in RVC, there are more distinct water bodies within the municipality. She said the carrying capacity of the water breeds an ideal environment for mosquitos, and creates a “great mosquito habitat.”
Grant added the May 27 session will discuss options for pest control that are effective and environmentally sensitive, including control chemicals and adult mosquito tracking devices.
“With the weather that we have in Alberta, our heat doesn’t get to the amount to have a lot of disease-carrying mosquitoes or deaths due to mosquitoes,” Grant said. “I think really it’s an aesthetic issue in this area in particular.
“The workshop is ‘How do I reduce the amount of bites that I get while I’m trying to enjoy my property?’” she added.
The webinar is open to all RVC residents. If you’re interested in participating in the virtual session, register at bit.ly/2QCgmmX
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
