Managing Mosquito Habitats

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Managing Mosquito Habitats

See how Metro Vancouver locates breeding grounds on The Sustainable Region video.

Since 2004, Metro Vancouver has applied larvicide to effectively control mosquitoes in breeding areas such as catch basins and surface water. Larvicide is a naturally occurring bacterial product that kills mosquito larvae and prevents them from developing into adults. When mosquitoes are still in their larval stage, they can’t fly, making them easier to locate and treat. The bacteria are not toxic to humans and have a minimal impact on surrounding life.

For more information see this BTI fact sheet PDF icon

Effective larviciding reduces the need for adulticide (an insecticide), and along with ongoing testing and monitoring of mosquitoes has been successful in controlling mosquito populations. Should the risk to humans from WNV become high, health authorities may control adult mosquitoes by spraying adulticide.

GIS Mapping and Surveillance Data

Municipalities in Metro Vancouver collect and store GIS data about potential WNV-vector mosquito habitat, mosquito surveillance, and larvicide treatment information in a standard way that allows comparison across the region.

You can view a copy of these standards here: Regional WNV Data Specifications PDF icon

The healthy wetlands/catch basin/mosquito connection
You may think that the presence of wetlands leads to high mosquito populations. In fact, healthy wetlands are home to fish, insects and birds that eat mosquitoes and keep the numbers under control. Healthy wetlands are almost always free of the species known to carry WNV. They have a balanced predator-prey relationship that provides natural mosquito control.

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Fast Facts

There are about 50 known species of mosquito in B.C. Only a few local mosquito species are considered important vectors for WNV.

Catch basins – curb or lawn drains – are also mosquito breeding areas. You can participate by ensuring that drains on your property are clean and contain no debris.

To prevent the spread of West Nile virus, Metro Vancouver treats all of its catch basins in higher risk areas – about 500 - at the peak of the mosquito season, based on recommendation from the Fraser Health Authority.