As reported by Niagara Region Public Health yesterday, the first case of West Nile Virus has been identified, in St. Catharines, for 2024. While there are protective measures that residents may individually take, the Region has also started a months-long larvicide program aimed at controlling mosquito populations.
High-risk areas in each municipality in Niagara are treated during summer into autumn, including storm drains and sections where water collects and remains. Treatment started on June 17, according to the Niagara Region website, and will continue to November 1.
“All larvicides will be applied by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks licensed applicators or technicians,” says the Region.
Last week in Fonthill, a not-very-talkative man on a not-very-big motor scooter made his way along residential streets, stopping at each storm drain. After dropping larvicide pellets through the grate, he marked the moment with a quick spray-paint spritz.
Storm drains are marked with a coloured dot to show they have been treated with the larvicide. If there is more than one colour marking, the storm drain has been treated more than once, says the Region.
Why larvicide?
BTI, or Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis, is effective to kill mosquitoes in the early stages of their life, says the Region, rather than using a pesticide to kill adult mosquitoes.
Approved by Health Canada, BTI contains a natural bacterium that kills mosquitoes during their larval stage of development. It has been used effectively since 1982 for insect control, says the Region, particularly for mosquitoes, black flies and fungus gnats, and is commonly found naturally in soils in Canada and throughout the world.
Health Canada has determined that Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis poses no health risks to humans or mammals when applied properly, says the Region. The toxins only work in certain insects' digestive systems. Human and animal stomachs are too acidic to the larvicide to work.
Even so, if a person comes in contact with BTI, a concentrated exposure could cause mild skin and eye irritation, says the Region. Rinse the eyes with tap water for 20 minutes and wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water. If the symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
For more information about larvicides, visit Health Canada's Pesticides and Pest Management.
