2025 Moquito Control Program
Initial surveying and monitoring for the annual Town of Watson Lake 2025 Mosquito Control Program is scheduled to begin as early as the week of 13 April 2025. The consulting firm with the Town of Watson Lake in the management of mosquito populations is Duka Environmental Services Ltd., an environmental services firm with over 40 years of experience. All mosquito larvicide applications by Duka Ltd. personnel and certified Watson Lake public works personnel would be completed under Pesticide Service Permit # 21-004 (Duka Ltd.) and Pesticide Use Permit # 22-009 (Watson Lake).
The goal of the annual program is to reduce adult mosquito annoyance for residents and visitors. The best way to achieve this through effective control of larval mosquito populations. Control program efforts are focused on the identification and treatment of developing mosquito larvae using the biological larvicide VectoBac 200G (PCP #18158) containing the heat-killed bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis var. isrealensis (Bti). This product is specific in its control of mosquitos and biting flies. It has no effect of non-target insects, fish, birds or mammals, including humans, livestock and pets.
Larval development occurs with surface water accumulations from snowmelt and precipitation in ponds, along the margins of shallow lakes, non-flowing ditches, depressions and tire ruts. Larval mosquito populations would be controlled with helicopters and ground-based treatments. Proposed treatment dates are from 13 April 2025, through to early August 2025, depending on conditions. VectoBac 200G would be only applied when and where mosquito larvae are present. Treatment site locations are little changed from past seasons and all program details are summarized for the Town of Watson Lake and Yukon Environment in a summary report submitted by Duka Ltd. at season end.
While the larval mosquito control program will reduce overall mosquito populations, residents and visitors should still be prepared to protect themselves from adult mosquitos by using repellents and wearing loose, light coloured clothing. Avoid perfumed skin care products and shampoos. Regularly drain and refill wading pools, livestock watering troughs and empty water-filled boats, tires, canoes or other containers. Eliminate water-holding tire ruts and depressions. Install window screens and use repellents as directed on product labels.
For more information on VectoBac 200G, the program, mosquitos and their control please visit www.valentbiosciences.com or www.dukaenvironmental.com. You can also leave a message, including your name, address and a daytime contact telephone number for the control program biologist at Town of Watson Lake offices or directly for Duka Ltd. at 1-604-881-4565, toll free at 1-800-681-3472 or by email at info@dukaes.com.
