Small bugs seem to be creating big problems for some downtown merchants.

The Salmon Arm Downtown Improvement Association has written to city council, urging the city to take “aggressive action” to rid the trees lining Alexander Street of an aphid infestation.

The July 10 letter from president Rob Marshall, on behalf of the DIA, refers to the sugary secretions of aphids that are coating sidewalks and parked vehicles along Alexander. The letter states the secretions will eventually attract aggressive species such as hornets and wasps, and will tend to make host trees brittle, meaning branches will break when the wind blows hard.

The letter refers to the city’s new bylaw restricting the cosmetic use of pesticides, specifically the exception that allows the application of pesticides to control ants, termites and wasps.

Marshall’s letter was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Development and Planning Services Committee. The discussion also included two other letters from downtown merchants, one which stated a shopper’s shoe had stuck to the substance on the sidewalk, resulting in a twisted ankle.

Brad Ackerman, the city’s parks and recreation foreman, said he had since had a productive meeting with DIA members. He told the city planning meeting that the aphid infestation is an annual event, noting that aphids that attack Linden trees are among the toughest. In other years, the city has applied chemical pesticides, usually twice during the season. He said the aphid’s “honeydew” is a nuisance, but not as bad as sap because it dissolves and can be washed off. He said the assertion that aphids will make the trees brittle is not correct. Ackerman told the meeting that 5,500 ladybugs, natural predators of aphids, were released on the trees but it is difficult to accurately measure their effect. He said more may be released after monitoring, but the infestation appears to be on the decline.

Coun. Alan Harrison said he would be willing to consider a minor amendment to the cosmetic pesticide bylaw, adding aphids to the ants, termites and wasps exception.

“It’s a new bylaw and I actually support it, but like any new bylaw, it might need tweaking.”

Coun. Kevin Flynn said he thinks a proper, registered Integrated Pest Management program should be allowed under the bylaw, and mentioned changes are also needed to accommodate the Sterile Insect Release (SIR) program that targets the coddling moth.

Coun. Ken Jamieson said he thinks patience is needed, in that the city is only in year one of the bylaw.

“We need to make sure we have exhausted all biological avenues.”

Coun. Chad Eliason said he agrees aphids need to be brought under control, but going back on the bylaw could be the beginning of a slippery slope.

Coun. Debbie Cannon said she realizes aphids are an issue for some downtown businesses and perhaps daily washing of sidewalks is needed.

“I think we have to ride it out... If we do bring this back for SIR and fruit trees, I also want to look at fines and penalties for people who don’t comply with the bylaw.”

City council will reassess the situation in four to six weeks.