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Mosquito Management
Program Description
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Mosquito Control Section, is responsible for administering and implementing mosquito control within the State of Maryland. Typical projects undertaken for mosquito control include Public Health arboviral surveillance and testing, mosquito population surveillance activities, source reduction, biological control initiatives, ground and aerial application of insecticides, and public education. Participation in the program is voluntary and requires local government and/or community funding.
Typically, the spray season begins at the end of May and ends in mid-September. Spraying takes place after dark on Tuesdays and may continue until midnight or later.
More information about the MDA Mosquito Control Section can be found here.
More information regarding the insecticides used for mosquito control can be found here.
Exemption from Spraying Program
Residents can have their property, and a surrounding buffer of up to 300 feet on all sides of the property, excluded from the spraying program. For more information, visit https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/MosquitoControlExemptionForm.pdf.
Please note that all spray exemptions are suspended if spraying is required due to a public health threat.
MDA announces all of its unscheduled spraying on the agency website (www.mda.maryland.gov), on Twitter @MdAgMosquito and @MdAgDept, and through press releases.
Residents who wish to receive the press release by email should send their address to: mda.news@maryland.gov and request to be put on the distribution list.
Ways to lower the mosquito population:
- Eliminate any standing water (even tiny amounts) to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in standing water.
- Utilize bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (also known as Bti).
- Install or build a Gravid Aedes Trap (or GAT).
- Choose plants that repel mosquitos.
Mosquito Control: Mosquito Trap and Surveillance Tools Guide - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency: Bti for Mosquito Control
The 4 “E”s for Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Mosquito Source Reduction – Maryland Grows (umd.edu)