The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Board approved additional funds to deal with a particularly pesky problem this year.
High water and multiple rain events in the mosquito control program areas of Electoral Area A (Rural Golden) and B (Rural Revelstoke) have repeatedly created large amounts of ideal mosquito breeding habitat. To combat the mosquito nuisance, CSRD mosquito control contractors have nearly exhausted the 2025 budget, which is estimated based on previous budget years.
As a result, CSRD staff recommended using existing operating reserves to cover the costs of additional treatments in those areas this season. The use of these operating reserve means the residents won’t see any additional costs on their tax bill for the extra service this year.
The Board authorized using up to $100,000 from the Golden/Electoral Area A Mosquito Control Reserve, and up to $50,000 from the Revelstoke/Electoral Area B Mosquito Control Reserve. If all these funds are not spent, any remainder will be put back into the reserve fund.
All CSRD mosquito control programs use a product called Vectobac (BTI), which is a soil-borne bacterial product that specifically targets mosquitoes in their larval growth stage before they hatch. These products are an extensively tested, natural bacterium that helps reduce mosquito populations without harming beneficial insects, frogs, fish, birds or mammals.
Treatments can be delivered by hand or by helicopter.
The CSRD conducts annual mosquito control programs in specific areas of Electoral Areas A (Rural Golden), B (Rural Revelstoke) and F (North Shuswap).
