TNRD to begin mosquito control work in the North Thompson this week

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will be administering aerial treatments for mosquitoes in the North Thompson Valley starting the week of June 2.

It says the program will involve the use of a low-flying helicopter that will apply Vectobac 200G, an organic water-dispersible bacterial larvicide, to areas infested with mosquito larva.

“Vectobac 200G is an organic water-dispersible granule formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterial larvicide that is used to control of mosquito larvae,” the TNRD said in a statement.

“Vectobac 200G is not harmful to non-target organism populations including other aquatic animals, livestock or humans.”

Work will start in the Vavenby area and continue south towards Kamloops. It may also include the Sun Peaks area.

“As stated in the provincial Integrated Pest Management Act, no larvicide treatment can take place in permanent, fish-bearing bodies of water or waters that have permanent, direct, surface-water connections with fish-bearing bodies of water,” the TNRD added.

“Only areas that are (or will be) separate from the North Thompson River, or that do not support fish populations, are suitable for larvicide treatment.”

The TNRD began its mosquito reduction program began in 1971. It noted that all work is carried out in accordance with the TNRD’s Mosquito Surveillance and Reduction Pest Management Plan. It currently applies to:

• A portion of Electoral Area “A;”
• Electoral Areas “J,” “L,” “M,” “N” (excluding lands adjacent to the Coquihalla Recreation Area), “O” and “P;” and
• Member municipalities including Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Logan Lake and Sun Peaks.

More information about the TNRD’s Nuisance Mosquito Control program can be found here.