Historically low numbers of mosquitoes are being registered in Winkler's mosquito monitoring traps.

Winkler's Parks and Recreation Department Foreman, Terry Fehr says the city's average daily trap count has been 4 when historically, they see an average of 61. He says it's been almost four decades since they've seen numbers so low.

Although the average trap count has been 4, they are starting to see numbers of 11-14. Despite the low numbers, Fehr says they have been staying vigilant with their larviciding program. "In July and August, the main concern is the Culex tarsalis, which is the West Nile carrying species. Although there are fewer mosquitoes, the mosquitoes out there at this time are a little more dangerous, that's why we feel our larviciding program can't relax because of the low numbers."

Jason Bartsch, a member of the Winkler Parks and Recreation staff, checks a city ditch for mosquito larva

As of last week, on average, Winkler had 3.25 Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Fehr says none of them tested positive for the West Nile virus.

For this trapping season, Winkler is averaging 1.75 Culex tarsalis mosquitos per trap. This compares to 16.19 per trap at this time last year and an average of 141.16 in past years.

Meanwhile, Fehr notes after the city received approximately an inch of rain this past Sunday, the staff is out working hard to make sure larviciding is completed before the next batch of nuisance mosquitoes are ready to hatch. Fehr says Aedes vexans, the most common nuisance mosquitos in Southern Manitoba, usually make an appearance 5-10 days following heavy rainfall, depending on weather conditions.

Trapping for mosquitoes begins in May and will go into the month of September.