By Matt Kelly

Lower than average mosquito population in North Battleford

Jun 24, 2016 | 10:00 AM

The North Battleford forecast for those pesky little skeeters which can ruin summer fun doesn’t look so bad.

The mosquito population in North Battleford is lower than the average this year, thanks in part to drier conditions and less standing water.

Suzanne Abe, the communications coordinator for the City of North Battleford said weekly checkups on the mosquito numbers are done on marked sites.

“We have a dipstick and there is a cup attached to it,” Abe explained. “We take some water out of these sites, monitored sites we have, and just count the larvae in there.”

Abe said the city does apply products to target areas to try to stop the mosquito population growth.

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“We have a mosquito treatment program that we start the first week of May and throughout the summer as we monitor the mosquito on a weekly basis. We treat the standing water within the city limits,” Abe said.

However since the city can only do so much Abe added residents can also help prevent a high number of mosquitos.

“They could cut the grass in their backyard so mosquitos don’t find these resting sites and then also remove any standing water from their yards if there is any because that’s the breeding ground for the mosquitos,” she said.

People looking to avoid bites are advised to wear long sleeves and pants to cover up skin when able and to also make sure to apply mosquito repellent.

mkelly@jpbg.ca