TNRD awards contract to expand mosquito reduction service

Oct 4, 2026 | 11:14 AM

BLUE RIVER, B.C. — Residents and visitors in the Blue river and Avola area will get to enjoy the outdoors with fewer mosquitos after the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) board voted to expand its mosquito surveillance and reduction service.

The vote comes after the board voted to establish the service in Electoral Area “B” (Thompson Headwaters) in June in response to 70 per cent of residents saying “yes” in a March referendum.

This decision awards an additional $85,000 per year for three years to Setetkwe Environmental Inc, who has already been carrying out the work for the TNRD elsewhere.

The TNRD said the expanded service will have a maximum tax requisition of $130,700 to cover operating costs, which translates to an estimated tax rate of $9.25 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

A previous attempt to establish mosquito control service in the area in 2021 was defeated, as only 32 per cent of the eligible property owners who voted were in favour.

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The TNRD said growing complaints after the failed referendum brought the issue back into focus.

“Since the previous petition five years ago, concerns and complaints about mosquitos have continued to be shared from Blue River and Avola, leading to this proposal coming forward once again,” reads a statement from the TNRD.

The difference this time, is that the planned expansion covers the entirety of Electoral Area “B” rather than just the Blue River.

Contractors are set to begin mosquito population control measures in Electoral Area “B” in 2027.

by Elora McCormack

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TNRD awards contract to expand mosquito reduction service

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