Winnipeg mosquito fogging crews hampered by rain Sunday, will try again Monday night

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Peggy

An attempt to combat the surge of mosquitoes in Winnipeg was washed out before it could get very far.

City crews were ready to begin the fogging program Sunday night but rain delayed the start — and then also ended it.

“Our crews were out last night, but were definitely hampered by weather,” city spokesperson Julie Horbal Dooley said in an email to CBC News.

“We were able to complete three of the 10 zones we had on the schedule. We’ll try those high-priority zones again tonight, but may once again be hampered by weather.

“We can’t fog when it’s raining or too windy. And with temperatures as hot as they are right now, the likelihood we’ll see some sort of thunderstorm activity at night on any given night is pretty high.”

In addition to those remaining seven zones, the city will aim to get to another 10 on the slate for Monday night.

They include:

Insect Management Area 1: Kilcona Park, River East, Springfield North, Valhalla.
IMA 2: Kildonan Drive, Rossmere A.
IMA 11: Glenwood, Norwood East, Norwood West.
IMA 13: Alpine Place, Elm Park, Lavalee, St. George, Varennes, Worthington.
IMA 14: Kingston Crescent, Minnetonka, Norberry, Pulberry, Victoria Crescent.
IMA 18: Maple Grove Park, Normand Park, River Park South, St. Vital Centre, Vista.
IMA 26: Betsworth, Ridgewood South, River West Park, Roblin Park, Southboine, Westdale.
IMA 27: Elmhurst, Eric Coy, Marlton, Ridgedale, Varsity View, Vialoux.
IMA 28: Assiniboine Park.
IMA 50: Jefferson, Kildonan Park, Seven Oaks.

Spraying takes place between 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. and will not happen with heavy winds or when temperatures are below 13 C.

For fogging operations to be initiated, the citywide average trap count must show a minimum of 25 female mosquitoes for two consecutive nights and one or more of the quadrant’s average trap count must total at least 100.

The latest trap counts can be found on the city’s website.

“We’ve started the program and we’re doing the best we can amid the unstable weather conditions. If we’re able to be out there fogging, we will be,” Dooley said.

The city fogs with DeltaGard 20EW, which is approved for use in Canada by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, according to the city.

However, production of the pesticide stopped in 2023 and if the entire city gets fogged, about a fifth of Winnipeg’s remaining DeltaGard supply will have been used.

Residents who don’t want their property fogged can apply for a buffer zone, which covers 90 metres of a specific property. A minimum 72-hour turnaround time is required.

Applications for a buffer zone must include a letter and photo ID linking a person to the address in question and can be submitted through an online service request on the City of Winnipeg’s website, or by emailing 311@winnipeg.ca, faxing 311, writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey St. or visiting 1539 Waverley St.