Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Mosquito Control Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Mosquito Control Program is a community-enrolled initiative that manages local mosquito populations through a data-driven framework called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Instead of spraying on a standard calendar schedule, the program utilizes localized surveillance traps and only triggers truck-mounted treatments if adult mosquito counts cross strict state annoyance thresholds or present a public health risk, like West Nile Virus. To minimize environmental impact, the state applies low-toxicity, EPA-approved mists at night when critical pollinators like honeybees are inactive inside their hives, while legally guaranteeing any resident the right to opt out and establish a mandatory 300-foot no-spray buffer zone around their property.

 

Residents who do not wish their property to be fogged may file an exemption. The exemption policy and form can be found here: Request for Exemption.