FAQ

• We monitor and treat floodwater mosquitoes within the region with an objective of reducing them to tolerable levels. 
• Treatment is conducted by applying an environmentally-friendly bacterial larvacide (Bti) directly to the flood or seepage waters where the active larvae are found. 
• Our treatment of all known floodwater mosquito larval breeding sites will greatly reduce the overall numbers of adult mosquitoes anticipated but it will not eliminate all mosquitoes. 
• Monitoring is conducted post-treatment to confirm die-off of larvae, and re-treatments are conducted as necessary. 
• Morrow BioScience has been the FVRD’s mosquito control contractor since 2004. With the local knowledge and experience gained by Morrow BioScience over this time, our program has continually improved, resulting in greater mosquito control effectiveness and efficiency.

No, we do not conduct fogging or spraying for adult mosquitoes.

Floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs on damp soil along the banks of major rivers. They lay dormant until the following year when water levels rise, causing eggs to hatch into larvae. The largest concentration of floodwater mosquito larvae becomes active as the river peaks. It takes 1-2 weeks for larvae to emerge as adult mosquitoes. This is why every spring, as the Fraser River levels rise as snowmelt from the rest of the province flows through the Fraser Valley, mosquito season unfortunately arrives. The lifespan of adult mosquitoes is generally considered to be around a month, which can be shorter when conditions are hot and dry.

• Residents that are particularly sensitive to mosquito bites will need to take precautions, such as applying bug spray or avoiding areas near the banks of the Fraser River during dawn or dusk when mosquitoes tend to be most active.
• Wear long sleeves and dark coloured clothes
• Health Canada suggests the following tips about using bug sprays: 
• Use insect repellents that have been approved by Health Canada (with a five-digit Pest Control Product registration number on the product label).
• Always read the entire label carefully before using, and follow all directions. This includes restrictions for use on children and the maximum number of applications allowed per day.
• Keep in mind that insect repellents are proven to work against only the insects listed on the label.
• Apply only a small amount of repellent on exposed skin or on top of clothing. (You don’t need a lot for it to be effective.)
• Never spray insect repellents directly into your face. Spray on your hands first and then apply to your face. If you do get repellent in your eyes, rinse them immediately with water.
• Keep all insect repellent containers out of reach and sight of children and pets and supervise the application of insect repellents on children. Avoid applying repellent to children’s hands to reduce the chance of their getting repellent in their eyes and mouths if they touch their hands to their eyes or mouth.
• If you are concerned that you might be sensitive to a product, apply the product to a small area of skin on your arm and wait for 24-hours to see if you have a reaction.
• If you suspect that you or your child is reacting to an insect repellent, stop using the product immediately, wash treated skin, and get medical help. When you go to your health care provider, take the product container with you.

• Empty out any standing water on your property, such as buckets, planters, or discarded tires.
• Install mesh or netting on rain barrels.
• Keep swimming pools maintained and chlorinated.
• Turn your compost frequently.
• Install bat boxes on your property. Bats are known to eat up to their body weight in flying insects, such as mosquitos, overnight. However, half of BC’s bat species are considered endangered due to habitat loss, predation, and environmental contamination. Consider helping bats help you by installing a bat box on your property, keeping cats indoors, or volunteering with the Fraser Valley Community Bat Program. Find more information at bcbats.ca.

If you have any questions about mosquitoes in your area, the treatments, or would like to report an area that has an abundance of mosquitoes, please contact our Mosquito Hotline at 1-888-733-2333 or email mosquitoes@fvrd.ca.  You may also follow #fvrdmosquito on Facebook for news and updates or visit www.morrowbioscience.com.