The City of Regina is cutting back on mosquito control measures this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to the health crisis, Mayor Michael Fougere said earlier this month that the city was facing between $7.7- $20.7 million in losses, depending on when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Instead of proactively treating bodies of water, crews will be monitoring traps throughout the city to keep up with mosquito counts throughout the summer.
Spokesperson Ray Morgan said some measures are being taken to protect workers and save the city money.
“The current distancing is an issue, but the overriding one was administration was asked to look at somehow reducing services, to ensure that there is some opportunities to save some funding in some other areas, for example like the mosquito control program.” Morgan said.
Morgan also said just because there’s less being done, doesn’t mean the mosquito count will go up.
“The dry weather this spring has really helped us out, in that sense when we get wet weather conditions followed by warm or very warm conditions, that’s perfect habitat for mosquito populations, so far this spring it’s been fairly dry with minimal rainfall.”
Morgan said there will also be a decreased focus on athletic fields, but there won’t be a major impact.
“So because there is no scheduled or organized play on any athletic fields, that gives us an opportunity to pay a little bit more attention to that, even though it is reduced, instead of aerating and fertilizing three times a year, we’re looking at doing that one to two times this year.”
While mosquito traps are not out yet, Morgan said they will be coming out soon.
The move will save the city around $25,000 per week.
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