Steinbach city councillors had bugs on their minds at their meeting this week. Councillors Susan Penner and Cari Penner note they've been getting a lot of comments and questions from residents about forest tent caterpillars. They asked Chief Administrative Officer Troy Warkentin for an assessment of the situation.

Forest Tent caterpillars at work in Steinbach.Warkentin says he has been advised these outbreaks do not occur very often and that, while the caterpillars have been present in many locations this year, the outbreak is not considered severe. He adds it's almost over.

"For the most part the hatch and feeding cycle that they're currently on is already tailing off. I've been told that the caterpillars should be disappearing in the next two to three weeks. While there is some defoliation of trees throughout the community, it has also been passed on to me that it isn't a significant stress on the tree if it's only for one season. The city has undertaken a very limited spraying program specifically for Main Street. That was actually completed last week."

Warkentin adds there are no further plans to spray anywhere else.

Meanwhile, councillor Michael Zwaagstra says recent rains are sure to lead to a mosquito infestation in the coming days. He asked Warkentin whether larvaciding is underway. Warkentin says the city started larvaciding operations in early May to help prevent mosquito larvae from hatching and that work continues.