Dry weather could help prevent mosquitoes this summer

By Halyna Mihalik

Saskatoon could be seeing fewer mosquitoes this summer thanks to city treatment plans and the expected warm, dry weather.

According to City of Saskatoon entomologist Sydney Worthy, a continuation of dry weather will limit shallow bodies of water where mosquitoes typically breed.

“Towards the end of the summer, we might be seeing less mosquitoes overall,” Worthy.

The city has created its own treatment plan to help combat mosquitoes this season. It should be effective, but may not be needed depending on the state of the weather.

The treatment is placed in shallow standing bodies of water such as in ditches or grassy areas.

“Mosquitoes need shallow water to breed in, so what we do is we use a larvicide which kills mosquito larvae,” said Worthy.

That’s a granular formula used on the surface of shallow bodies of water. Mosquito larvae eat the larvicide, which damages their intestinal lining and kills them.

Although the treatment kills mosquitoes, Worthy assures that ingesting the formula “doesn’t harm (other) insects or birds.”

There are also tactics recommended that people can use to stop the spread of mosquitoes in their own backyards.

Anything that can hold water should be monitored regularly and dumped out, including rain barrels, children’s toys and birdbaths. Frequently cutting your grass is also recommended.