The Town of Coaldale mosquito abatement program is designed to manage mosquito populations by reducing standing water by storm pond controls, monitoring water temperatures, and testing and treating standing water with larvicide each year. This is done by a technician throughout the spring and summer months. The larvicide is environmentally friendly and does not affect mice, birds, fish, pets or other animals.
Wet conditions typically experienced in the spring can quickly overwhelm our efforts to keep mosquitos at bay. During a normal season, we may be successful in reducing populations by killing millions of larvae, which in turn do not become millions of reproducing adults. However, this will never completely eradicate the mosquito population.
We do not spray for adult mosquitoes in Coaldale for several reasons:
- The insecticide must contact adults to be effective and does not work when mosquitoes shelter beneath grass blades and leaves.
- Many beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings are killed collaterally by spraying.
- Acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors (nerve blockers), the active ingredients in insecticides, are extremely toxic to humans.
Alberta Health Services reminds Albertans that some mosquitos carry the West Nile Virus, so it is
best to avoid being bitten at all.
- Use an insect repellent with deet.
- Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
- Consider staying indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
For more information and tips you can visit the AHS Fight the Bite website or call Health Link Alberta at 811.