Thanks to the heavy rain associated with early summer in Manitoba, Winnipeg regularly experiences insect and mosquito problems. Besides being unpleasant, mosquitoes can also carry the West Nile virus. Thus, it is our shared responsibility to do everything we can to stop the proliferation of insects in the city.

Prevent standing water from accumulating on your property

Standing water is the best place for insects to lay their eggs. It is therefore important to reduce the number of places where water can accumulate in order to stop them from breeding.

Here are some tasks to help you prevent standing water from accumulating on your property:

• Do not keep water receptacles outside; these include your dog’s water bowl, small basins and unused containers.
• Treat any standing water areas that cannot be eliminated with a biological larvicide.
• Fill any depressions in your lawn with soil to prevent rainwater from accumulating.

Make sure your gutters are working properly

When gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, water cannot flow freely. Rainwater remains in the gutter, making it a perfect breeding place for mosquitoes. To prevent this from happening, clean your gutters so that water flows normally and does not accumulate. One way to avoid this situation is to install a gutter guard that will prevent debris from clogging the gutter.

There are many ways to do your part to address the mosquito problem in Winnipeg and elsewhere, especially early in the season to prevent a second wave of insects from hatching!