A mosquito control program, involving the application of larvicide, will begin in Lambton County on Monday.
Lambton Public Health (LPH) said catch basin surveillance and larviciding help control adult mosquito populations and reduce the region's threat of West Nile Virus.
Health Protection Supervisor Lori Lucas said the program has been running locally for over 20 years.
Pestalto Environmental Health Services Inc. has been contracted by LPH. As permitted by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Altosid Pellets and Mosquiron will be placed in catch basins.
Pestalto technicians will apply the larvicide by hand to roadside catch basins.
"What they're doing is a little bit different than what we're used to, but they may be on (in some of the more urban areas) motorized scooters," said Lucas. "They should be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle sign and an MOECP application sticker. So passenger vehicles are reminded to watch for them."
Passenger vehicles may also be used but will be equipped with the same signage, along with a flashing beacon. Technicians will also be wearing safety vests.
Lucas said property owners can take measures to reduce mosquito breeding areas.
"Take a look around and if you have any standing or stagnant water on your property, try to drain that. Think about old tires, pales, toys, wheelbarrows, and things like that," Lucas said.
Residents are also encouraged to use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin when outside at dawn and dusk, during peak hours for mosquito activity.
LPH said mosquito trap surveillance and testing will begin in early July.
However, residents are reminded that the health unit does not collect dead birds for West Nile virus surveillance. Residents can discard dead birds found on their property by placing them in a garbage bag (while using gloves) to be collected with other garbage materials.
Further information about West Nile virus can be found on the health unit's website.
