Wetland & Waterfowl Conservation

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West Nile virus fact sheet (PDF, 834 KB)
Common Larvicides
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West Nile Story - One Year Later (PDF) From DUC's Conservator magazine, Dr. Dale Wrubleski updates us on the story of West Nile virus (2004).
West Nile Story
From DUC's Conservator magazine, Dr. Dale Wrubleski uses his entomology expertise to provide us with a valuable insight into West Nile virus (2003).

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Recommended Prevention

Until a human vaccine for West Nile virus is developed, the most ecologically sound method to prevent human infection is personal protection.

Wear clothing that covers skin and use repellents. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Elderly people and those with weak immune systems should take extra precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.
Prevent mosquitoes from entering homes by placing proper screens on windows and doors.
Although rare, dogs and other pets can become infected with West Nile virus. Owners should minimize the exposure of pets to mosquitoes. Use repellents approved for use on animals. Do not use repellents with DEET.
Hunters should take extra precautions when cleaning game birds or handling live or dead birds. Use gloves in order to prevent blood-to-blood contact. To date, mallards, Canada geese, wood ducks, sandhill cranes, mourning doves, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys and ring-necked pheasants are among the game birds reported to carry West Nile virus.
Freezing meat does not kill the virus.
Cook wild game thoroughly.

Reduce Mosquito Breeding Habitat

Culex mosquitoes are thought to be most responsible for transmitting West Nile virus. These mosquitoes often breed in close association with humans because people create ideal breeding habitat. Anything that can contain water can provide habitat for Culex larvae.


Drain any toy, garden equipment or container that can hold water.	Change water daily in pet bowls.	Remove trash and discarded tires (drill drain holes in bottom of tire swings).	Clean rain barrel, bird bath and ornamental ponds weekly.

Check uncovered boat or boat cover that collects water.	Clean clogged rain gutters.	Repair leaky faucets.

A Healthy Environment Makes Healthy People

A healthy environment is one of our best defenses for keeping our communities healthy. While wetlands are among mosquito breeding habitats, wetlands also support 600 other wildlife species including frogs, salamanders, fish, birds, bats, dragonflies and other animals that eat mosquitoes.

Mosquito Control in Wetlands

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is an insecticide made from a naturally occurring bacterium. It targets and kills mosquito larvae that live in wetland ecosystems. When mosquito monitoring programs identify that control is necessary in a wetland, DUC’s review of Health Canada’s pest management information indicates that Bti is the least harmful pesticide for use in wetlands.

Take Precautions to Reduce Mosquito Bites in Rural Areas

In rural areas, personal precaution and protection against mosquito bites are necessary. The treatment of one wetland is not effective in reducing mosquito numbers. Treating every mosquito source in rural areas would easily exhaust mosquito control resources and have very little effect on controlling mosquito
populations.

Make Environment Friendly Decisions

If you believe it’s necessary to control mosquito populations in a wetland, make an environmentally responsible decision. Contact the appropriate agencies in your province for more information on the laws that apply to chemical applications in wetlands and to wetland modification.