Ping Pong this Evening

Due to popular demand, there will be ping pong this evening. 

See you at 7pm at Forbes Hall.

Matt

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE Concert: Saturday, July 8th at Forbes Hall

Forbes Hall Exercise and Stretch Fitness

TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS arrive at 9 AM . Class will start shortly after and last about one hour

No running no jumping warm up.

We use weights and/or bands, floor mats or chairs. All at your own discretion.

Stretches to finish up.

All abilities welcome.

Questions? Contact Michelle Sutter at acanthurus61@gmail.com or Eleanor Vandergaag at roneleanorv@gmail.com

More Mosquito Info...

Mosquito Dunks

Mosquito dunks are available at most Home Hardware stores and similar shops $30. for 6 dunks but they go a long way and probably a good investment right now!

Rob Voaden

Mosquito control

Hi,

Good discussion on mosquito control over the last few e-spokes. In the past control was effectively managed through the tide gate being in place (essential), monitoring and BTi application in the salt marsh/swamp area upstream using Vectobac (helpful especially in bad years), and normal management of everyone's small water bodies on their land. The person who organized the BTi moved away, the tide gate fell off (again) and this last two years we have more mosquitoes. My thought is that we need to return to the same approach, with a new, long term sustainable, tide gate and with management using BTi.

Several people (including myself) have indicated willingness to contribute to the tide gate cost, and I have sourced a gate through a supplier who will offer it at close to cost. Currently just from some conversations I see commitment to $4500 from 3 people plus commitment to labor and installation support, so not too far to go if a number of people chip in and we could get it in before winter, so it is in place for the early spring when it is important to have it there.

The BTi, this needs people committed to monitoring and application. Plus some annual cost. There are two forms available, as I understand, the Vectobac and AquaBac (expensive, available in Canada but Vectobac only to pesticide applicators) or Mosquito Bits (much lower cost, only in the US) which are used to knock down infestations and the Dunks which are for long term maintenance in small water bodies. I suspect we could source the Dunks at low cost through a bulk buy, and perhaps there would be a way to get the Mosquito Bits or maybe the Vectobac or AquaBac--perhaps the CVRD would do the knock down applications with local monitoring, or we could get hold of some (I do not recall how this used to be sourced).

For the Dunks, https://sidewalknature.com/2022/05/08/mosquito-bucket-of-doom/ have them with a discount for quantity, and at a somewhat more favorable price than Amazon. Jan brought up a good use for bits of these in mosquito breeding traps the other day, https://sidewalknature.com/2022/05/08/mosquito-bucket-of-doom/

Domestic version of AquaBac: https://www.fishfarmsupply.ca/products/aquabac-mosquito-control https://www.growitall.ca/products/aquabac

Mosquito Bits, only in the US, I suppose we need a few 20 lb bags:https://summitchemical.com/products/mosquito-bits/

And I quite agree that it seems very odd that a completely harmless, long term tested, biological solution is hard to get in Canada when you can buy all sorts of chemical pesticides and herbicides!

Ian

pas@pacificcoast.net

RE: Mosquitos

The drainage ditch near Marina Drive and Pilkey Point Road is currently not controlling mosquitos and needs work.

I’ve had conversations with a few people regarding this known problem that’s apparently been well managed in the past by specific actions taken by members of the community.

Addressing the problem with the drainage ditch might very well resolve the extreme mosquito issue currently affecting the island, considering that nearly the entire island is within roughly 3 miles of the drainage ditch.

While our individual properties may be clear of any standing water, this year and last year seem to have been the worst ever for mosquitos. I’ve heard from some people that Forbes Hall has never been as bad as this year, especially with the mosquitoes being so prevalent at all times of the day including the morning and afternoon.

There are Thetis residents who can’t go outside their homes right now, or visit Forbes Hall, without getting significant numbers of bites within seconds, and there are Thetis residents who suffer from allergic reactions to mosquito bites, creating pain and inflammation for days/weeks.

It’s very upsetting not being able to enjoy the outside at all, at such a beautiful time of year.

For contrast, we just spent 3 days hiking all over north Vancouver Island and there was not a mosquito in sight. None.

There is community knowledge of the work that’s been done in the past to mitigate this issue, and there’s knowledge of what’s required to fix it. The community members who spent the time, money, and effort to do this in the past, did so for a reason.

If we, as a community, can come up with the funds required to facilitate this work, maybe we could still enjoy some of our summertime on Thetis, rather than having to be off island just to be outside.

If I’m not mistaken, mosquitos typically only live for 2-3 weeks, which means if we act quickly, there may still be time to make a difference for 2023.

If any members of the community are willing to try to help gather the support and the funds required, I’d be very interested to hear from you.

Perhaps we could have a community meeting at the hall specifically to discuss this topic, for those interested in sharing and discussing ideas?

For example, if just 26 people with $500 each could get this done, then I’ll personally commit to $500 today.

If there are any other safe methods we could employ as well, to mitigate this problem broadly for the community, let’s talk about those too.

Thanks for reading,

Julian Jackman

Latest Fire Weather Data

It looks like we will be hitting EXTREME HAZARD on Tuesday. That means that High Hazard Activities would have to shut down on Friday July 7th. (3 days after EXTREME is posted).

Please be prepared to have your chain-sawing, mowing, haying, milling etc. done by 1pm for the next few days and at 1pm on Thursday all High Hazard Activities must cease.

During the next few days, it is even more important to post the two-hour fire watch after you finish work, and if possible, wet down the area. Let’s all hope this EXTREME HAZARD period will be short lived and some significant rain will arrive.

If you require emergency work (i.e., Danger Tree Falling) please contact the Duty Officer (252-0228) and we will arrange to have the FD at the scene while your faller works to bring down the imminent danger tree.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

From the Library

Monday’s Friend of the Library is taking a summer break, so no formal opening of the library on Mondays.

Enjoy your summer.

Celine

Catherine Korol

https://www.qbmemorials.ca/obituary/MaryCatherine-Korol

For friends and neighbours to read and leave messages of condolence and remembrance of Catherine Korol.

William Korol

For Sale

Set of 4 Firestone Destination LE2 Tires 245/60R18M+S, 33000km $100

Rodney Brownlee 250-510-8647

Blue Cottage Bread

It's scone day today Monday July 3rd. Enjoy your coffee or tea with a delicious scone!

4 varieties to choose from:

  1) Aged Cheddar with Garlic Scapes and just a Hint of Cayenne

  2) Savory Smoked Gouda with Apple and Thyme

  3) Sweet Blueberry Cinnamon Crunch

  4) Sour Cherry Chocolate

$3 each

Ready at 10:00AM until they run out.

Pick up from the red cupboard at the end of Hollyberry Lane on Pilkey Point Road. Self-serve honor system. Payment by cash or etransfer to higginsgroup@shaw.ca

If you would like me to put a package together for you, please text me before 9:30 AM 250-714-9876 with varieties and quantity and I will leave it in the cabinet with your name on it. Limited quantities.

Thanks!

Tracy 

Lost Dinosaurs

My son Alder lost some toy dinosaurs at the school near the rocks last Friday.

If anyone found them, please contact me at 250 246-7917.

Kevin McClellan

BTi for Mosquito Control

Hello neighbors!

For the past two years I have been purchasing pucks of “Mosquito Dunk” which can be dropped into standing bodies of water. I toss a few pucks in my swales and drainage ditches in the spring when there is actually water in them, and it helps to keep the number of mosquitos down. This product contains BTi, a biological larvicide which is specific to mosquito and black flies. It is not harmful to the environment and is MUCH better than the use of a “full spectrum” pesticide.

Commercial grade BTi is restricted in Canada meaning it can only be sold to licensed applicators where it is known as “Vectobac”. Perhaps there is a licensed pesticide applicator on the island who could purchase and apply this product? If so, please make your presence known!

The Mosquito Dunk pucks, however, are available on Amazon. They are expensive, but cheaper than a $13,000 road works project. :) Maybe if everybody with standing water on their property uses the pucks it would have the same effect. After all, no one knows where the standing water on your property is better than you do.

If we do get some sort of mosquito control program on our island, I would recommend the use of BTi. It can be used on organic farms, is non-toxic to bees and humans, and is a naturally occurring soil organism. I just don’t know why it is so highly controlled while we can buy a gallon of toxic Roundup at the hardware store! It’s a mystery.

https://www.gdg.ca/documents/Document-Mise-a-jour-Bti-2022-ENG.pdf

https://www.amazon.ca/Mosquito-Dunks-20-Pack-Dunk/dp/B00L1JDSDU

Jonathan Stoski

2011 Nissan Leaf (E-car) for Sale

Current range 65-75kms. Great local commuter car (ie, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Duncan). Charges uses 120v, 240v, and DC fast charger, Eco/regen modes, heated seats, new air filter, Nav system, tires are good.

Mileage - 140,300ish kms. Price: $6500.

Images posted at https://www.thetisisland.net/notices2006.htm

Please contact Doug Fenton at 250.804.6480 or dfenton12@gmail.com