City of Portage Administration are heading back to the drawing board, when it comes to the city's mosquito control policy. The document was introduced at the committee meeting earlier this month, including the provincially recommended 'Mosquito Landing Count' method of tracking mosquito populations. The description of the practice resulted in some laughs in Council chambers, as it includes city staff standing outside in dark clothing, counting the number of mosquitoes that land on the front of their bodies over ten minutes. 

Councillor Brent Budz

While the practice resulted in some chuckles two weeks ago, it also resulted in Council voting against the policy last night. Councillor Brent Budz voiced his concerns over the practice, calling the 'Landing Count' method unscientific.

"I think when I looked at the policy at our committee meeting at the last Council meeting, I just wasn't in favour of the method of counting mosquitoes. While the province may use it, it's not a method used by a lot of peer cities. I just want something more scientific."

After he voiced his concerns, the motion was voted against by all but two councillors, with Brent Froese and Wayne Wall supporting the policy. Budz says he agrees with the overall policy, especially the focus on larviciding for early prevention. However, he feels mosquito traps may be a better method to determine when city staff should take action against nuisance mosquitoes.

"I really believe that having a program in place to deal with nuisance, adult mosquitoes is imperative for us to enjoy our city, and we have to be proactive that way. I just really wanted to defeat tonight's policy, and bring in a method of counting mosquitoes by traps, then putting thresholds within an amended policy for us to proactively fog in our city."

While there was some discussion of proposing an amendment at last night's meeting, Budz says he wants to give the city's administration time to review the mosquito population tracking method. With no amendment currently in place, Budz says it's too early to say just what impact the changes may have to the city's fogging program.

"That'll be yet to be determined, but I can vote for an amendment in this policy with confidence, knowing we're using a scientific method and one that's used in peer communities, so we can set the thresholds for fogging."

The document is now being reviewed by the city's administration, and will return to a vote at the next council meeting. While the policy is new, it outlines many of the current practices used by the city and is expected to simply streamline their operations by having formal documentation in place.