Natural pest control measures are linked with City programs that address habitat loss and recovery, including naturalization programs. Pest Management Lab & Operations works closely with these other programs to ensure habitats are favourable for natural predators, such as bats and dragonflies, to flourish while minimizing undesirable species such as black flies. These programs follow natural processes and may take some time to establish.
The City of Edmonton’s Mosquito Control Program continues with a robust and targeted ground control program to proactively manage the mosquito population and ensure our city parks and outdoor spaces are pleasant, healthy and safe to enjoy.
2024 Mosquito Control Activities
The Ground Control Program
The City’s existing robust and targeted ditch and ground mosquito programs remain active. These programs target roadside ditches and other ground habitats in our control area where mosquito larvae will be developing. As these control areas are closer to residential and recreational areas, they have a significant impact on local mosquito populations. Beginning in early April, the City’s equipment and personnel were in place and experts began monitoring mosquito larvae development.
We respect the concerns of residents who live near these control areas of impact to the local environment and their health. The City uses products that target mosquito larvae, instead of adults, as this is the safest, most effective and environmentally-friendly strategy with Edmonton’s climate and with available pest control products. We use two products that use proteins from a bacteria that specifically targets and effectively kills mosquito larvae, is non-toxic to almost all other aquatic species, and does not impact human health. The products are approved by the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
By only targeting temporary habitats, there is minimal impact on the other species of insects and leaves a diverse amount of food for insect-eating birds, spiders and amphibians. Visit Integrated Pest Management for more information about our practices and the products used.
Note: These ground control programs will not reduce the number of adult mosquitoes that migrate to the city from temporary bodies of water in open fields surrounding Edmonton.
What You Can Do
Help Control Mosquito Populations on Your Property
- Report any standing bodies of water that occur within residential areas by contacting 311. These are potential developmental sites for mosquito larvae. City crews will inspect sites and treat if required.
- Drain or fill low-lying areas that collect and retain water that mosquitoes can breed in.
- Items such as old tires, rain barrels or even eavestroughs can be a potential breeding site for some species of mosquitoes. These should be inspected regularly and drained if larvae are found.
- Store pails, buckets and other equipment in such a way that they do not collect rainwater and organic material.
- Keep ornamental pools, ponds and dugouts free of vegetation around the edges.
- Mosquito adults require shelter. Cutting tall grass, weeds and underbrush removes the areas of shade and high humidity that they need for survival.
Protect Yourself
Species
Local Mosquito Species
Over 30 different species of mosquitoes representing 6 general groups have been recorded in the Edmonton area. These 6 groups share general similarities in their life cycles including the egg, four larval stages, a pupa and the adult.
In all cases it is only the adult female that feeds on blood, which is used as a source of protein for egg development. Regular energy requirements of both sexes are normally provided by flower nectar.
The predominant mosquitoes in Edmonton belong to the Aedes and Ochlerotatus groups. These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in dry or damp, low-lying areas that are subject to flooding from accumulations of precipitation. Winter is passed in the egg stage and larval hatching requirements distinguish two types: those that hatch in spring and those that hatch later in the summer.
In the spring hatching species, flooded eggs are stimulated to hatch by depletion of the water's oxygen content, caused by a renewal of bacterial action in snowmelt pools. Cool water temperatures promote relatively slow larval development, requiring as long as a month for completion of the aquatic stages.
The resulting adults, of which there is only 1 seasonal generation, normally begin to appear in early to mid-May. Adults of some species last to the end of August, but by mid-July, most have normally died off.
Pest Mosquito Species
Mosquito Control History in Edmonton
Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
High mosquito biting activity can make outdoor summer activities very uncomfortable. There is also a possibility of getting West Nile virus.
West Nile virus is mainly an infection of birds that is spread to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become carriers of this virus by taking a blood meal from an infected bird.
Testing has shown that very few mosquitoes actually carry the virus and there is no evidence of people catching WNv from an infected person or animal through regular contact. Illness from West Nile virus is more common in horses but it can also affect a small number of people.
Whereas nearly all people bitten by an infected mosquito build natural resistance to West Nile virus and remain healthy, a small number may experience flu-like symptoms. In rare cases a person can develop an infection of the central nervous system that can lead to paralysis or death.