The City of Regina is working to make sure mosquitoes buzz off this summer by starting the annual mosquito control program both inside and outside city limits.

City crews use ATVs and backpack sprayers to spray a bacterium product into the water. It kills the mosquito when the larvae eat it. They must go out to treat several times a week throughout the summer at sites like ditches, parks and creeks.

At this point, it is too early to tell how bad mosquitoes will be this summer. Wade Morrow, the City of Regina supervisor of pest management, says you want to hope for hot, dry conditions.

"Mosquitoes are out dependent on weather conditions," he explains.

"It is Saskatchewan and that can change in a hurry in as little as a day."

With all the equipment, product and staff to pay for, the pest management budget is $1.5 million. The City's Ray Morgan confirms about $500,000 of that is dedicated to mosquito control. As with the snow removal budget there is a reserve fund in case the city becomes overrun.

Fogging neighbourhoods is always a possibility but only when mosquitoes become a threat to public safety and is recommended by medical health officers. Fogging hasn't been done in Regina for over 25 years.

Edited by CJME's Karen Brownlee