We've been getting rain quite regularly over Edmonton, which has been great for the trees, flowers and for our gardens. I don't know about you, but I've been noticing it has been good for the mosquitoes too, much to my dismay!

 Additional pools of standing water left behind after the rise of the North Saskatchewan River and these recent rains provides a breeding ground for the various species of mosquitoes that live in our city's ecosystem. These species include Culex tarsalis -the species that carries West Nile Virus in our region- as well as Aedes vexans and Ochlerotatus spencerii. 

The City of Edmonton tracks the approximate population of mosquitoes in the city using light traps, and you can see the historic data here. If you look at the graph, you'll notice that we aren't even in one of the historic high-population periods yet!

The City of Edmonton controls the mosquito population using a bacteria called BTI, which is harmless to humans. However, it has limitations. It only affects young larvae, it can only be applied during low winds and to still water and it requires the use of a fossil-fuel intensive helicopter. This means that despite treatment there can still be many nuisance mosquitoes in our yards. 

Thankfully, there is a beautiful permaculture Needs and Yields connection to help address our mosquito problem. 

Little Brown Bats are a common species of bat in Edmonton, but they are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and the spreading of White Nose Disease. These little bats love to eat mosquitoes, and according to researcher Jordi Seger "Bats can eat their own body weigh in mosquitoes every night— about 1,200 mosquito-sized insects per hour."

By installing a bat box in your yard, you will not only reduce the number of mosquitoes in your neighbourhood and reduce the need for chemical and fuel-intensive treatments, you will also support the population of this wonderful native species! (And just look at how tiny and cute their babies are!) 

If you see bats using your bat box, you can even participate in some citizen science and register your bat house with the Alberta Community Bat Program!

Send us a message if you'd like to get more information and a bat box for your yard!

Our clients in Central Edmonton has just finished building their gorgeous infill home and wanted to eschew the monocultural and outdated lawn. Instead they chose to bring our beautiful, diverse and transitional Aspen Parkland bioregion into their own yard, and the birds, insects, flowers, fruit and trees that come with it. 

They had us create a subsurface swale system carrying water from 4 large rain barrels through a native forest area. We protected the ground heavily with organic material and locally-harvested, myceliated aspen and birch wood mulch. Into this we planted aspen poplars, beaked hazelnuts, red osier dogwood, cranberry and larch.

This yard is going to be a conversation-piece for decades to come as the subtle beauty of our native species complement the unique textures of the house, attract native species and sequester soil carbon to grow stronger and more beautiful over time. One of the best parts: they don't ever plan on buying a mower.
 

Let's talk about what permaculture can do in your space!

This Week: Living Soil - The Soil Food Web and its Application