Yard & Garden Pests

Mosquito Control in Saskatoon

What is the City doing to control mosquito population in Saskatoon?
The City’s mosquito control program focuses on efforts to control the aquatic life stage of the mosquito (larva). We regularly monitor mosquito development sites (small bodies of water) within approximately 945 square kilometres including the City of Saskatoon and a surrounding buffer. The City also monitors the adult mosquito population using New Jersey light traps and Centre for Disease Control light traps. We do this to measure the abundance of mosquitoes and to track the presence of West Nile virus in adult mosquitoes. The most common nuisance mosquito is Aedes vexans and the most common mosquito that can transmit the West Nile virus is Culex tarsalis.

How does the City monitor mosquito larvae?
To determine if a body of water requires treatment, the staff will sample to determine if larvae are present. When there are at least two larvae per dip an area is treated. This can mean the entire water body or just areas where the larvae were found.

How are larvae treated?
Larval mosquitoes are killed using a biological larvicide called Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti or Vectobac®).

How is it applied? Is it dangerous?
The bio-larvicide is a type of bacteria that is applied to the surface of the water using a backpack sprayer. The species of bacteria only affects filter feeding insects and has the greatest impact on mosquitoes and black flies. The bacteria does not persist in the environment and does not harm vertebrates.

Does the City tell residents when larvicides are used?
Due to the large number of locations and the frequency of treatment residents are not notified after each application.  In highly visible areas, a treatment sign is posted to indicate that a pesticide product was used at that location. The sign includes the product that was used and the product registration number. The signs indicate to both the staff and the public that an area has been treated. We also issue letters requesting access to privately-owned land in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park.

You can prevent mosquito bites by:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and applying insect repellent;
• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active;
• Making sure all windows and doors in homes are tight-fitting and properly screened.

What you can expect from us

1. Mosquito monitoring and control program within the 945 square kilometre area including the City of Saskatoon. 
2. Weekly updates on the mosquito counts

How you can help us

1. Remove any standing or stagnant water from your property.
2. Ensure items in and around the property, like pool covers, saucers under flower pots, children's toys, pet bowls and wading pools are regularly emptied or replaced with clean water.
3. Clean eaves troughs regularly so water does not collect.
4. Empty and clean bird baths on a regular basis.
5. Ensure that openings in rain barrels are covered with mosquito screening.
6. Aerate ornamental ponds and stock with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
7. Ensure that your yard is free of debris, such as old tires that can hold rainwater.

Mosquito season means the presence of mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus. Questions about West Nile virus can be directed to Saskatchewan Health at 1-800-667-7766 or the City of Saskatoon at 306-975-3300.

How is West Nile Virus spread?
West Nile virus is usually transmitted to people through bites from infected mosquitoes. There are many species of mosquitoes, most of which do not transmit disease. The main carriers of West Nile virus in Saskatchewan is Culex tarsalis.

Mosquito Repellents
While mosquito control will provide some protection, it will not eliminate the risk of contracting West Nile virus. For this reason, residents should protect themselves using mosquito repellents, mosquito netting, and avoiding outdoor activity when the risk of contracting the virus is high.  Follow the label direction when using mosquito repellents. 

External Links

Health Canada
Saskatchewan Health
Saskatoon Health Region

Other Links

Information regarding the testing and protection of our blood services products

What is a yellowjacket?
Yellowjackets are a type of wasp, 15–20mm in length, with yellow and black or white and black stripes on their bodies. They live in colonies, and similar to other social insects, there is a queen, female workers and reproductive males, known as drones. Only the queen survives the winter and in early spring she begins construction of a new nest. The nest is usually located in the ground, cracks in pavement and attached to branches.  The colony grows throughout the season and in late summer can be several hundred individuals. Yellowjackets are beneficial as they kill many garden pests, but will also feed on nectar, pollen and scavenge for many different sources of protein and sugars. Yellowjackets can sting multiple times and are often aggressive, particularly when protecting a nest.

How to control yellowjackets?
To control yellowjackets, locate the nest and then wait until evening or early morning to remove the nest.  Removing the nest is safer if the nest is first sprayed with a foaming insecticide designed for wasps, but in some situations nests can be removed and placed directly into a garbage bag.  If you can’t locate the nest, but want to reduce the number of yellowjackets foraging in your yard, use hanging wasp traps baited with sugary solutions. Typically, yellowjackets only become a nuisance in late summer, and the workers die in the fall.

What you can expect from us

1. Removal of wasp nests on City property if below ground or accessible from a step ladder (~8 feet).   
2. Information regarding the removal of wasp nests on private property

How you can help us

1. Report the locations of wasp nests to Parks, 306-975-3300.

What is tularemia?

Tularemia is a bacterium carried in animals and insects such as ticks, squirrels, muskrats and rabbits.

How common is tularemia?

While rare in Canada, tularemia can be treated with antibiotics.  Additionally, the type B strain discovered in Saskatoon is a strain with a low risk of infection. 

How is tularemia spread?

Tularemia is usually spread through contact with infected animals and their environment. Take caution when disposing of an animal carcass and always remember to wear gloves and protective clothing and place the animal in a thick plastic bag (or doubled up bags).

What are the symptoms of tularemia?

Symptoms usually appear in 3-10 days. These include: fever, chills, head and muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough, progressive weakness and pneumonia.  While rare in Canada, tularemia can be treaed with antibiotics.

What do you do if you find a dead animal on private property?
Residents can either dispose of the animal using the recommended precautions or send it to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (52 Campus Drive) for testing.