Mosquito fogging trucks to hit Winnipeg streets

Mosquito fogging trucks will be back on Winnipeg streets Thursday night.

The city says mosquito numbers are so bad in parts of Winnipeg, thatit's time to bring out the big malathion guns again.

The average mosquito trap count on Thursday was 70.

And in southwest Winnipeg, 600 mosquitoes were counted in one trap at Assiniboine Park.

The city said it will be deploying trucks specifically in the southwest area of the city.Sixteen trucks are scheduled to be deployed in14 different sections.

City entomologist Taz Stuart responded to criticism over halting mosquito spraying recently at a press conference on Thursday.

Stuart said mosquito numbers dropped after the first round of fogging, so the city suspended its efforts.

"We have a migration occurring. These are mosquitoes coming from outside the city that are not in our control district," said Stuart. "Therefore, I am responding according to our policy."

Also included in that policy is the right tobuffer zones for residents. Winnipeggers will have until 3 p.m. Thursday to register for a buffer zone. Crews will ensure their sprayersdon't treat an area within 90 metres of homes that have requested buffer zones.

Residents cant find out if theyre in a buffer zone online, but they can call 311 to see if there is one near their property.

Trucks will be deployed at 9:30 p.m.