MOSQUITOES – TNRD launches aerial control program in North Thompson

Mosquitoes in the North Thompson Valley will be targeted for control by the TNRD this week beginning today (June 2, 2025).

Aerial applications will start in the Vavenby area and continue south towards Kamloops. If necessary, applications may occur in the Sun Peaks area as well. Application involves the use of a low flying helicopter that will apply Vectobac 200G 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 says.

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

“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 news release said management activities are carried out in accordance with the TNRD’s Mosquito Surveillance and Reduction Pest Management Plan.

The release said the TNRD nuisance mosquito reduction program includes mosquito reduction with organic pesticides, mosquito surveillance, and outreach to the public.

The TNRD mosquito reduction program began in 1971. At first, the program consisted solely of aerial applications to control adult populations of mosquitoes. With the advancement of new products such as biological larvicides, which do not harm fish habitats, the program has shifted to an environmentally safe practice of controlling mosquito larval populations before they emerge as adults, said the TNRD..

Nuisance Mosquito Reduction is conducted in the following areas of the TNRD:

• 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.

For more information about the TNRD Nuisance Mosquito Control program, visit: tnrd.ca/mosquitoes.