Ron Lampreau is the owner of Setetkwe Environmental Incorporated (SEI), an environmental consulting company based in the B.C. Interior. Setetkwe Environmental specializes in vegetation management, environmental monitoring, hydroseeding and invasive weed control. The company has been hired by the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) on contract as part of the region's TNRD Mosquito Control Reduction program.
“Setetkwe Environmental crews have been busy across the province managing mosquito populations. We’ve been out in Clearwater, Blackpool, Darfield, Chu Chua, McLure and other areas up the North Thompson, as well as in Sicamous, applying targeted treatments to reduce mosquito larvae before they hatch. Our environmentally responsible approach ensures safe and effective control, helping protect residents, visitors and ecosystems alike,” Lampreau told Black Press.
Lampreau says mosquito control in the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) uses an “environmentally responsible method” meant to target mosquito larvae before they become “biting adults” and the approach relies on a natural bacterium called Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI).
“BTI is found naturally in soil and is deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to humans, pets, birds, fish and other wildlife," he explained. "When applied to standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs, BTI is consumed by the mosquito larvae. Once ingested, it disrupts their digestive system, killing them before they can mature. VectoBac and AquaBac are the two most commonly used BTI based products.”
The TNRD Reduction plan is detailed on the regional website, and states that the TNRD Nuisance Mosquito Reduction Program includes mosquito reduction with organic pesticides, mosquito surveillance, and outreach to the public.
The TNRD formally began its mosquito reduction program in the early 70s. Initially, the program consisted solely of aerial applications to control adult populations of mosquitoes. With the advancement of new products such as biological larvicides, which do not harm fish habitat, the program has shifted to an environmentally-safe practice which is to control mosquito larval populations before they emerge as adults.
The TNRD Mosquito Control Reduction program targets species of mosquitoes that pose a nuisance for humans, primarily those of the Aedes genus, which are also known as floodwater and snowmelt mosquitoes.
Nuisance Mosquito Reduction is conducted in the following areas of the TNRD:
- A portion of Electoral Area “A;”
- Electoral Areas “J,” “L,” “M,” “N” (excluding lands adjacent to the Coquihalla Recreation Area), “O” and “P;” and
- Member municipalities including Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Logan Lake and Sun Peaks.
“If you see our SEI crews working in your area stop and say ‘Hi’ to learn more about mosquitoes and mosquito control," Lampreau said.
You can learn more on the SEI Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Setetkwe/ or via the TNRD website: https://www.tnrd.ca/services/nuisance-mosquito-reduction/reduction/
