Committee OK’s extension of Kanata North mosquito control program

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A mosquito control program in North Kanata will be extended for four more years after residents overwhelmingly voted to pay extra for a slap-free summer.

Councillors on the City of Ottawa’s finance and corporate services committee approved a special area levy for the Kanata North Nuisance Mosquito Control Program, which will cost residents of the area $1.85 million until the end of 2027. The program, which has been in place since 2016, uses larvicide to kill mosquito larvae before they hatch into adult summer pests. It costs residents just over $20 a year.

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A community vote of nearly 14,000 residents in January found 3,320 in favour of the levy and 721 opposed.

“It’s a very strong vote in favour that we continue that mosquito program,” Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said after the meeting.

The larvicide targets larvae in the Carp River watershed, Curry said, adding she had heard from other Ottawa residents who would like the program extended to other areas of the city.

“I’ve heard from people in Carp, West Carleton, Stittsville, Kanata South, even Orléans asking, ‘Can we be a part of this?’” Curry said. “It does take a little time to set up, but, if you look at a city like Winnipeg, they do the entire city. The fact that we’re just looking at one section of the city is a little bit of a challenge. Mosquitoes travel.”

The larvicide is made up of two naturally occurring bacteria found in soil — Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus — that attack the stomach of the larvae when they hatch in water. The larvicide is approved by Health Canada, which says it has no effect on humans, birds, fish, animals or other insects.

The committee decision must still receive final approval from city council on Wednesday.

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