How you can stop the mosquito population from booming in Winnipeg

The recent rain in Winnipeg could lead to more mosquitoes becoming visible this summer. Daniel Halmarson reports.

A thunderstorm hammered parts of Winnipeg on Monday afternoon, leaving behind plenty of puddles and pools in its wake, and entomologist Taz Stewart warns all that standing water could be a catalyst for everyone’s least favourite pest—mosquitoes.

“I hate to say that it’s the summer species,” Stewart told CTV News Monday. “Those eggs start coming out, and you got all this water here. So, there could be a surge in numbers for a short period of time.”

According to City of Winnipeg data, the average trap count on Monday was at two, though counts in some areas were two or three times higher.

A City of Winnipeg spokesperson told CTV News that crews remain focused on larviciding for mosquitoes on the ground and in the air.

Stewart, who runs Taz Pest Control, credits the city for targeting larvae in public places like parks and boulevards.

“This is insane how few mosquitos we have. It’s fantastic,” Stewart said. “But that shows the biological program works so well, and we’re seeing the benefits of that.”

However, he urges people to get rid of standing water on their properties to help mitigate the looming issue.

“Dump it, drain it, fill it, cover it,” Stewart said. “It’s very, very important you do that in your backyard because the mosquitoes that develop there will be eating on you.”

Stewart also said Winnipeggers also need to be mindful of the risk of West Nile virus.

“It’s been on the decline – very, very few cases, but it’s still there, so you still need to be protecting yourself,” he explained. “Use repellents, avoid times when mosquitoes are most active like dusk and dawn.”

The City of Winnipeg spokesperson said crews are not currently fogging as part of its adult nuisance mosquito program. Residents can register for insect control program notifications through the city’s website.