Mosquito Control

Mosquito control, July 24, 2024: Throughout the spring, Metro Vancouver’s regional mosquito control contractor, Morrow BioScience, has been monitoring and treating mosquitoes at the larval stage. Due to a below normal Fraser River freshet, flooding has been minimal resulting in reduced mosquito breeding areas and adult mosquito emergence this summer.

However, other mosquitoes that breed in backyard habitats (stagnant ponds, unscreened rain barrels, bird baths, etc.) may still be a nuisance for residents.

Nuisance Mosquito Control Program

The Township participates in the Metro Vancouver Regional Nuisance Mosquito Control Program.

This environmentally-sensitive program is designed to reduce nuisance mosquito populations to tolerable levels by aiming to control mosquitoes at the larval stage of the mosquito life cycle. The program is carried out by a professional mosquito control contractor, Morrow BioScience Ltd., working for the region.

A regional Mosquito Control Hotline has been established to take calls regarding mosquito nuisance concerns. The program depends on the public to inform when and where they are experiencing concerns about mosquitoes.

To report mosquito-related concerns, call the Mosquito Hotline at 604-432-6228. The phone line, operated by Morrow BioScience Ltd., is available 24 hours a day and all inquiries are responded to within 24-hours of receiving messages.

Mosquito control methods

Larval mosquito control
The primary emphasis is to target mosquito larvae confined to a specific location (such as stagnant bodies of water including sloughs, seasonal wetlands, detention ponds and/or roadside ditches). The program involves: surveillance identification data collection monitoring treatment of mosquito-producing sites When sites meet regulated levels, specific identified surface water is treated with environment-friendly larvicide called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Bti-coated corn pellets are distributed by two effective methods: hand or backpack spreader via foot or boat access aerial spreading dropped from a helicopter Nuisance mosquito species are not typically associated with the spread of West Nile virus.

Larval mosquito control

The primary emphasis is to target mosquito larvae confined to a specific location (such as stagnant bodies of water including sloughs, seasonal wetlands, detention ponds and/or roadside ditches). The program involves:

surveillance
identification
data collection
monitoring
treatment of mosquito-producing sites

When sites meet regulated levels, specific identified surface water is treated with environment-friendly larvicide called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Bti-coated corn pellets are distributed by two effective methods:

hand or backpack spreader via foot or boat access
aerial spreading dropped from a helicopter

Nuisance mosquito species are not typically associated with the spread of West Nile virus.

Other control methods ("spraying")
Adulticiding (the ”spraying” or “fogging” of insecticide) to control adult mosquitoes, is considered an extreme option and is not used as a primary means of mosquito control in the region. Adult mosquito control is expressly excluded from the regional mosquito Pest Management Plan. It is important to note that due to human health and environmental risks associated with airborne distribution of insecticide, adulticide mosquito control methods have not been used in the region since 2003. This method would likely only be used under specific direction of the Medical Health Authority, such as in an outbreak of West Nile virus.

Other control methods ("spraying")

Adulticiding (the ”spraying” or “fogging” of insecticide) to control adult mosquitoes, is considered an extreme option and is not used as a primary means of mosquito control in the region. Adult mosquito control is expressly excluded from the regional mosquito Pest Management Plan.

It is important to note that due to human health and environmental risks associated with airborne distribution of insecticide, adulticide mosquito control methods have not been used in the region since 2003. This method would likely only be used under specific direction of the Medical Health Authority, such as in an outbreak of West Nile virus.

Graphic depicting the preferred control method of using larvicide over adulticide or spraying

More information

Protect yourself
The Township of Langley uses education initiatives to help spread the word about risk reduction, and to help residents mitigate mosquito breeding habitat from around their homes. Practice the 4 Ds for reducing mosquito risks: Drain your property of unwanted standing water Dusk/dawn: take extra care at these times Dress appropriately: wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves Defend against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents

Protect yourself

The Township of Langley uses education initiatives to help spread the word about risk reduction, and to help residents mitigate mosquito breeding habitat from around their homes.

Practice the 4 Ds for reducing mosquito risks:

Drain your property of unwanted standing water
Dusk/dawn: take extra care at these times
Dress appropriately: wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves
Defend against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents

10 ways to reduce mosquito breeding areas around your house
It is important to keep residential or business property free of standing and stagnant water. This helps reduce the number of mosquitoes in your neighbourhood as most mosquitoes fly about 1 to 3 km from their breeding site. Follow these simple practices to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on your property. Old tires should be disposed of or moved inside. Do not let outside containers, equipment or debris collect water - recycle, drill holes in or overturn them when not in use. Eavestroughs should be kept clean to allow proper water drainage. Flat roofs should be kept free of standing water. Storm drains and lawn basins should be kept free of debris such as yard waste, lawn cuttings and leaves. Roof downspouts should be properly designed and maintained to prevent standing water. Leaky faucets should be repaired to prevent water build-up or pooling on the ground. Windows and attic vents should be adequately screened and maintained to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Stagnant water located in birdbaths should be changed weekly. Rain barrels should be covered with fine mesh and wheelbarrows overturned when not in use. Ponds should be maintained. Using pumps or fountains to keep water circulating reduces mosquito breeding. Swimming pools should have operating chlorine and circulation systems. Wading pools should be overturned when they are not in use. Compost should be turned frequently to keep well-aerated.

10 ways to reduce mosquito breeding areas around your house

It is important to keep residential or business property free of standing and stagnant water. This helps reduce the number of mosquitoes in your neighbourhood as most mosquitoes fly about 1 to 3 km from their breeding site. Follow these simple practices to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on your property.

Old tires should be disposed of or moved inside. Do not let outside containers, equipment or debris collect water - recycle, drill holes in or overturn them when not in use.
Eavestroughs should be kept clean to allow proper water drainage. Flat roofs should be kept free of standing water.
Storm drains and lawn basins should be kept free of debris such as yard waste, lawn cuttings and leaves.
Roof downspouts should be properly designed and maintained to prevent standing water.
Leaky faucets should be repaired to prevent water build-up or pooling on the ground.
Windows and attic vents should be adequately screened and maintained to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Stagnant water located in birdbaths should be changed weekly. Rain barrels should be covered with fine mesh and wheelbarrows overturned when not in use.
Ponds should be maintained. Using pumps or fountains to keep water circulating reduces mosquito breeding.
Swimming pools should have operating chlorine and circulation systems. Wading pools should be overturned when they are not in use.
Compost should be turned frequently to keep well-aerated.

Program contacts and information
Nuisance mosquito habitats Mosquito habitats are located throughout the Township of Langley, with the vast majority along the Fraser River foreshore area; affecting Fort Langley, Glen Valley, Derby Reach and Walnut Grove. Nuisance mosquito reports and maps Read the 2023 Metro Vancouver Nuisance Mosquito Control Program summary report. Regional control contractor Morrow BioScience Ltd. is the regional professional mosquito control contractor. Contact Morrow BioScience Ltd. by calling the Mosquito Hotline at 604-432-6228. Learn more about Morrow BioScience Ltd. on their website, Facebook, and Instagram. West Nile Virus, Zika Virus or any other health topics Township of Langley does not run virus related programs. For the latest information on the Zika Virus or West Nile Virus, visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control or Health Canada and search ‘virus’ in their search bar. For health issues, visit HealthLinkBC or call 8-1-1.

Program contacts and information

Nuisance mosquito habitats

Mosquito habitats are located throughout the Township of Langley, with the vast majority along the Fraser River foreshore area; affecting Fort Langley, Glen Valley, Derby Reach and Walnut Grove.

Nuisance mosquito reports and maps
Read the 2023 Metro Vancouver Nuisance Mosquito Control Program summary report.

Regional control contractor
Morrow BioScience Ltd. is the regional professional mosquito control contractor. Contact Morrow BioScience Ltd. by calling the Mosquito Hotline at 604-432-6228. Learn more about Morrow BioScience Ltd. on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

West Nile Virus, Zika Virus or any other health topics
Township of Langley does not run virus related programs. For the latest information on the Zika Virus or West Nile Virus, visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control or Health Canada and search ‘virus’ in their search bar. For health issues, visit HealthLinkBC or call 8-1-1.