Strathcona County does not have a mosquito control program. The suitability of mosquito control programs are determined by a significant number of factors, but primarily, our team needs to take into consideration the amount of standing water on the landscape and the size of the area to be controlled. Both of these factors are considerable in Strathcona County, making an ongoing mosquito control program an ineffective option for our community. 

• Reduce or eliminate standing water, including eavestroughs, children’s toys and flower pots
• Clean ponds and pools that do not have a circulating pump and birdbaths every four days
• Clean and chlorinate pools and hot tubs
• Cover rain barrels with a screen or fine mesh.
• Keep ornamental ponds, pools and dugouts free of vegetation around the edges. Fish that eat mosquito larvae can be added to bodies of water
• Cut tall grass, weeds and underbrush to remove areas of shade and high humidity that mosquitoes need for shelter
• Landscape yards and gardens so water does not sit in puddles
• Repair any leaking pipes and faucets and check for condensation coming off air conditioner

• Agitation and aeration of a pond changes the water surface tension and discourages mosquitoes from laying eggs.
• A larvicide specific to mosquito larva is available at most hardware and garden stores. It can be sold under various names, including: Larvicide, Aquabac or Bti. The product can be used in any habitat that supports mosquito larvae.
• If you do decide to use a control product, choose one that is specific to mosquitoes. It is not beneficial or desirable to kill all the insects in the area. Without natural predators, mosquito populations may increase. The larval stage is the best time to control mosquitoes.
• Appropriate mosquito habitats to use control products include, but are not limited to: woodland pools, dugouts, tree holes, temporary pools, artificial containers, and floodplains. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to get the best results, and use the product safely.

Natural wetlands and stormwater management facilities (the lakes and wetlands in Sherwood Park) do not produce the large amounts of mosquitoes that people might think. These water bodies contain large numbers of predators that eat mosquitoes, such as: dragonflies, birds, amphibians and fish. Mosquitoes do not live in open water where wind can produce waves. They need still, stagnant water.

• Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (follow the manufacturer's instructions for use)
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (most mosquitoes are active at dusk and after dark)
• Take steps to manage mosquitoes on your property

West Nile Virus is transmitted from infected birds to people by mosquitoes. A mosquito that bites an infected bird can pass the virus along when they bite another bird or animal. Of the many different species of mosquitoes found in our area, fewer than one per cent may carry the virus, and fewer than one per cent of people bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus will develop symptoms. It is otherwise very difficult to get this virus directly from a sick animal or bird.

• Alberta Health Authority or call Health Link at 780-408-5465 (24 hours)
• Health Canada - West Nile information
• Fight the Bite - Alberta Health and Wellness, or call 780-427-7164.
• Government of Alberta's West nile virus and animals information sheet