The rivers have peaked and everything that can be done to quash an anticipated bumper crop of mosquitoes has been done. Now comes the waiting game.

“We’re going to hold our breath for another week,” said Cheryl Phippen, owner of BWP Consulting, which contracts mosquito control with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Rising river levels — in some spots reaching the 40-year flood mark — have activated breeding areas for mosquitoes that only become active once or twice every 10 to 20 years.

To prevent a widespread outbreak, BWP has sprayed everything and everywhere possible.

“We almost put out 33-per-cent more helicopter time  . . . and have blown every record for the amount of larvicide put out,” Phippen said. “Maybe it worked. I’m cautiously optimistic.”

The mosquitoes currently annoying people have hatched from standing water on backyard pool covers, buckets and other retention areas — places the TNRD doesn’t spray. She said problem areas include Brocklehurst, Oak Hills and up the North Thompson in Darfield.

Phippen said any widespread assault by the insect would take place in about 10 days.