Mosquito spraying begins this week: TNRD

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Nuisance Mosquito Control program begins its aerial treatments for nuisance mosquitoes in the Lower Nicola and Douglas Lake areas  this week.

The application involves the use of a low-flying helicopter that will apply Vectobac to infested areas.

According to the TNRD, Vectobac is an organic water-dispersible granule formulation that is used to control of mosquito larvae and  is not harmful to fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, livestock or humans.

The TNRD began its mosquito reduction program in 1971. At first, the program consisted of aerial applications to control adult populations of mosquitoes. However with the advancement of new products such as biological larvicides, which do not harm fish habitats, the program has shifted over time to an environmentally-safe practice: controlling mosquito larval populations before they become adults.

Anyone with any questions or concern about the Nuisance Mosquito Control program is encouraged to check out their website at http://tnrd.ca/mosquitoes