Is the Okanagan on course for a bad mosquito season?

Break out the bug spray, Kelowna. After this spring's historic flooding, the city could be plagued with an explosion of mosquitoes.

"I would say given the conditions we've had, Kelowna is certainly ripe for higher than average mosquito population," said Bruce Smith of the Regional District Central Okanagan.

The Regional District has been operating a mosquito control program for over 30 years throughout the Central Okanagan that monitors and controls mosquito activity at 250 sites around Kelowna.

"Mosquitos require water to accumulate in the same area, so anytime you increase the amount water and the duration of time it sits in the same place, then you increase the chance of mosquito development," said Curtis Fediuk, President of DUKA Environmental Service, which runs the district's mosquito control program.

"This year's been a good one for that, we definitely have all the right conditions, with the lake and creek levels so high you get a lot of seepage into low-lying areas like farms and fields and there has been a fair amount of that in the Kelowna."

Higher water levels for a longer duration of time combined with a forecast calling for warm mid-20's weather throughout the next week means mosquito season will soon be upon us.

"Mosquito season generally goes from April to September but with the colder start to spring the Okanagan is a bit behind," explained Fediuk.

"Typically in any season, the peak for adult mosquitos is usually mid-June to the end of July."

The Regional District is asking homeowners to help mitigate the mosquito risk by reducing standing water.

"Simple things like pet bowls, flower pots, bird baths, ornamental ponds even spare tires are all notorious for harboring mosquito habitats," said Fediuk.

"Burning mosquito coils work really well for deterring mosquitos around the house and mosquito magnets work well, but keep them away from public spaces because the magnets attract mosquitos and then trap them."

Click here to learn more about what the Regional District does to monitor and control mosquitos as well as tips for controlling the pests around your house.