City Hall has its eye out on two pests that are becoming more and more evident in recent weeks - dandelions and mosquitoes.
Councillor Don Buglas brought up both at the council meeting June 25, in response to inquiries from the public.
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Anderson noted his department has its eye on the mosquito situation.
"The City has been conducting the regular larvicide program since pretty much the ice melted," said Anderson, treating standing water once per week. Larvae counts are also conducted before they treat.
Anderson noted the city "missed the first few species of mosquitoes" due to a dry winter and a dry spring.
The recent increase was a result of the rain, he noted. Once the North Saskatchewan River recedes from the flooding off its banks he expects "we could be in for a major hatch."
Anderson adds they don't do larvicide treatments in the river valley because it's not permitted without special permit from the province.
He called mosquitoes "part of the prairies - they're here."
As for dandelions, the City usually does a fall spray program that starts in August to cut down on the weeds in the parks, and there are plans to continue with it this year.
"We'll do it the same way by going into the parks and treat the hot spots," said Anderson.
As for the dandelions that are showing up at moment, "we're just mowing them as fast as we can," said Anderson.
