Prince George, B.C. – As the weather heats up, the mosquitoes start to buzz and the swatting has already started in some areas of Prince George.

The City of Prince George has started it’s mosquito abatement program.

Program coordinator, Claire Watkins, says   aerial dispersion of the biological larvicide  “Aquaback” took place   on three days earlier this month. The areas targeted were swampy sites on Cranbrook Hill, in College Heights, and in the Hart region. She says there may be a second aerial treatment done for Fraser Vista, the North side of the Nechako River, Denacola, and the west end of North Nechako Road.

“There is no telling  what kind of year we are going to have for mosquitoes” says Watkins, “It all depends on what happens with the rivers.”

She says once the mosquito eggs get wet, they start to develop into larvae in the back channels and pools along the edge of the rivers.   They cannot treat those sites until they “disconnect” from the river when the water recedes because of the possible impact on the fishery.

Watkins says there are things residents can do to reduce the possibility of having their own mosquito breeding grounds, like making sure old tires  and empty flower pots are not allowed to fill with rainwater. mosqitoes can breed in any  amount of water that’s left to sit  for 4 days.