Good news! Once again we've been accepted into the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) mosquito control spray program. We just got notified that beginning in early June, we'll be sprayed with an ultra-low volume solution, but only if their survey shows it's needed. If so, it would be on a Monday evening no earlier than 7:00 p.m.; however, they have advised us that we wouldn't be sprayed until much later than the official "start" time.
Over the past several years, this spray program has been very successful in controlling the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito, carrier of the deadly West Nile virus, and it's effects are very benign, unless you're a mosquito or drink a couple of gallons of the stuff, neither of which is very likely. Even the bees, who hive at night, are not affected.
That said, it's always a good thing to limit exposure to any chemical, so if you can, schedule your outdoor barbecues for another night and if you see the truck headed your way whilst walking the dog late at night, just pick another route.
And best of all, it's free; except of course for your tax dollars. Unlike taxes, you can opt out, but be aware that if enough folks do so, AOTB may not get sprayed at all. So if you're annoyed by the critters now, imagine what that might mean. For more info please check MDA's super website at mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/mosquito_control.aspx or call them at 410-841-5870; or email mosquito.control@maryland.gov.
For a personal discussion, my good buddy Tony Dewitt is a wealth of information about all things mosquito and I've learned a lot from him and the rest of his team. You can contact him at anthony.dewitt@maryland.gov. If you want an even longer-winded rendition, my contact info remains: David J. Delia, home: 410-268-8622, cell: 443-534-7229; ddelia@comcast.net.
Have you seen our bio-retention, wetland reconstruction, and living shoreline project this spring?