For once, that buzzing sound in your ear this summer might not be a mosquito, but part of Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) multi-faceted strategy to keep the insects — and the potentially dangerous viruses they can carry — in check.
The public health agency is deploying drones capable of carrying and dispersing larvicides to kill mosquitoes.
The technology is supplied and operated by GDG Environment. Richard Trudel, a scientific adviser for the company, says bigger areas require bigger drones.
The company’s larger drone is capable of spreading larvicide in a six-metre radius, and can reach areas that would typically would be difficult to access.
“It’s really sophisticated, it’s very efficient. It’s meant to blow product down and put it in the right place,” said Trudel.
Killing mosquito larvae isn’t the only thing the program is doing to prevent spread of the virus. It’s also testing the insects to identify where the virus may be present. So far this year, five groups of mosquitoes and one person have tested positive.
