Mosquitos seem to be a quintessential part of the Alberta summer experience. 

Though they seem to be never-ending in number, the Town of Okotoks has a few ways of keeping them under control. 

Gordon White, urban forester with the town, says they have a way of keeping track of the pests while they're still developing. 

"We monitor areas where we have standing water and typically would see mosquito larvae. If the mosquito larvae reach a certain threshold, then we would treat it with a product that is a bacteria that feeds on the larvae." 

The bacteria in question is VectoBac, which is commonly used to manage mosquito and blackfly populations. 

The town also had a few bat boxes set up around areas known to foster mosquito larvae. 

It may come as a surprise to some, but according to White, bats do like to snack on mozzies. 

"Bats feed heavily on mosquitos, so yes, even the smallest of creatures have a purpose. Usually to feed bigger creatures." 

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