The Maryland Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the local department of health, will expand mosquito control services in the Pasadena area of Anne Arundel County and the Havre de Grace area of Harford County due to a public health concern over the potential for mosquito-borne diseases.
Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) truck-based spraying to control adult mosquitoes is planned for the evening of Wednesday, September 26, in the following areas:
• Pasadena (Anne Arundel) within a one-mile radius of the intersection of Waterford Road and Route 100. This includes parts of the following communities: Ember, Waterford, Magothy Park, Pasadena Manor, Annapolis Pines, Waterford Mills.
• Havre de Grace (Harford) within a one-mile radius of the intersection of Chapel Road and Blenheim Lane. This includes parts of the following communities: Bulle Rock, Residences at Bulle Rock.
Spraying will occur after 7:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, spraying will be re-scheduled for the next available evening. Any existing spray exemptions in the area will be temporarily suspended.
Mosquito Control personnel will use a permethrin-based solution that the EPA has approved for use in public health mosquito control programs without posing unreasonable risks to human health. However, out of an abundance of caution, the department recommends avoiding outdoor activities during spraying.
While not all mosquitoes carry diseases, the Maryland Department of Agriculture suggests that residents take precautions to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites. These measures include:
• Wear long, loose fitting, light colored clothing
• Wear insect repellents according to product labels
• Avoid mosquito infested areas during prime periods of activity (between dusk and dawn)
• Install, inspect, and repair window and door screens in homes and stables
• Regularly clean bird baths and bowls for pet food and water
• Remove or empty all water-holding containers
All Marylanders are encouraged to follow the Department’s Twitter feed @MdAgMosquito that will post unscheduled spray events and other timely information about mosquito control in Maryland. Routine spray program schedules are available by county on the program’s website.
For more information, call the Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program at 410-841-5870.
