Discussions

More or less on cue from the big rains of a couple weeks ago, mosquito numbers have been very clearly on the rise over the last couple days in our part of the city.  
 
City issued a notice today re mosquito surveillance and criteria for fogging, which is described as happening when:  
"the Adulticiding Factor Analysis Guidelines value falls into and remains in the high category for two consecutive trap counts:  
OR the average of any daily mosquito trap count is more than 1,000 nuisance mosquitoes:  
OR any individual trap count is more than 2,000 nuisance mosquitoes."  
https://www.brandon.ca/public-notices-details?var=6146  
 
This week's values aren't available quite yet, but for last week (June 13/14) we fell in the AFA Medium range as per:  
https://www.brandon.ca/mosquito-abatement/mosquito-abatement-program  
 
We're about two weeks ahead of last year, where things started to get bad about a week into July to the point where fogging happened in the middle of the month.

From the trap counts, the cemetery was the worst last week as is often the case. Will be interesting to see what trap counts taken this week show, but would be very surprised if it isnt a good-sized jump from last week!

Still no count data published since June 13/14 but anecdotally the three yards I'm most familiar with in three very different areas of the city all sound like they've gotten notably worse the last two days. Corners of our backyard un-usable unless mouth closed and one arm in full-on rapid swat mode!

How's the progress on mosquito spraying? Already a big problem in Rosser west end of city. Let's not wait til outdoors are unbearable as we have other years. Thanks.

I see that last week's June 20th/21st numbers are now on the link above, with AFA values coming in at Medium a week ago. Most recent trap readings will have been taken for yesterday and today. Given reports of observed increases around the city over the past few days I hope they'll find a way to publish this week's numbers sooner so that we can have most accurate current info and best possible understanding of where we're at this week in the Mosquito abatement program. Much respect for the hard work of everyone involved in the program, but as a citizen we need more than to learn this week where we stood a week ago. 

Trap counts for this past weekend are in and based on those numbers, decision has been made to fog on Sat and Sun weather permitting. Please see link:  
https://www.brandon.ca/public-notices-details?var=6154  
 
Just looking at historical data, and the 4480 trap count for the cemetery on the 28th appears to be the highest single trap count ever observed dating back to 2010. The 3068 at the Civic Services trap on the 27th is right up there for one of the highest counts itself.  
 
Doesnt look like temperatures are likely to be an issue going by the forecast. Gusty winds during the day on Saturday.. not clear on if thats supposed to continue into the evening:  
https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/mb-52_metric_e.html

Update from this city this PM....  
South of Victoria took place last night. Plan continues to be to fog North of Vic tonight:  

Nuisance Mosquito Fogging took place in all areas south of Victoria last night.

Crews are planning to proceed with fogging north of Victoria Ave. beginning at approx. 10 p.m. - AS LONG AS weather conditions are suitable.

Learn more: https://t.co/1PoflRE2j0

— City of Brandon (@CityBrandon) July 4, 2021