An inability to treat a popular provincial park for mosquitoes is having an impact on mosquito control in areas of the North Shuswap.
In a Wednesday, July 5 media release/update, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) said it continues to treat for nuisance mosquitoes around Scotch Creek and Lee Creek “to fight the bites endured by residents and visitors during the spring and summer months.”
Treatment involves the use of Aquabac, a larvacide containing Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis), a soil-borne bacterial product that specifically targets mosquitoes in their larval growth stage before they hatch.
BC Parks has permitted mosquito control programs in Shuswap Lake Provincial Park; however, authority to treat within Tsútswecw Provincial Park was denied.
Tsútswecw Provincial Park has a significant area of mosquito-breeding habitat and without region-wide treatment, mosquito control programs become less effective, said the CSRD.
In 2022, the CSRD and Skw’lax te Secwepemcúl̓ecw partnered to cover the cost of an independent study conducted by Simon Fraser University to affirm the safety of BTI. The study concluded there were no adverse impacts of BTI on fish.
This year’s treatment program began in May, with the most recent treatments being in mid-June to target the developing mosquitoes. The CSRD said numerous sites are treated, including multiple locations in the 2000-block of Squilax-Anglemont Road in Lee Creek.
“Our program has proven effective in reducing nuisance mosquitoes in the areas where we treat,” said Ben Van Nostrand, Team Leader of Environmental Health Services. “But when you can’t treat in the Provincial parks, it leaves a significant amount of habitat that is ideal for mosquitoes to multiply.”
Those with concerns about the lack of mosquito control treatment in Tsútswecw Provincial Park can contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca or call 1-800-689-9025.
READ MORE: Mosquito control returning to Scotch Creek, Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
READ MORE: Sicamous abuzz with challenging mosquito season
lachlan@saobserver.net
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