Mosquito Spraying Wrapping for the Summer

While the Hillsmere and Bay Ridge communities participate in the state's mosquito-control program, it's difficult to tell how effective the spraying has been.

Workers from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) monitor and try to contain the mosquito population throughout the state by regularly spraying insecticide in neighborhoods that elect to participate.

But participation doesn't mean eradication of the pests. Even though Hillsmere and Bay Ridge, both in the program, were scheduled for weekly sprayings, the communities saw only minimal sprayings this summer.

 In Hillsmere, for example, state agriculture officials sprayed only twice – first on June 23 then again on Sept. 1. Likewise, Bay Ridge was sprayed only twice, on June 30 and July 7.

The decision to spray hinges on several factors, one a rather low-tech method. A worker from the MDA visits Hillsmere and Bay Ridge each Wednesday from 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. and performs a landing-rate test. They simply hold out their arm and must see if at least three mosquitoes land there within two minutes to warrant a spraying that day, said Katie Brewer, agricultural specialist with the state.

The department also deploys special traps to see if the neighborhoods meet the threshold for spraying, Brewer said.

Even then, there are some restrictions to spraying. Brewer said the department will not spray if it is raining, if it is too windy or if the temperature is greater than 90 degrees.

Brewer she did not know whether the low number of sprayings were due to low counts or weather conditions.

Also, residents can opt out of the program if they desire. The majority of the participating communities around the state do not have many, if any, homes that opt out, she said. And if they do, the guideline is that the department will not spray the home, as well as a 300-foot buffer – the distance the spray truck shoots the insecticide.

The Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association worked with the MDA to have that buffer modified to include the home requesting the exemption, along with the homes on either side of it, said Bill Shuman, association president.

In Bay Ridge, the exemption is limited to the property's street frontage, Brewer said.

Shuman said the change in exemptions allowed more Hillsmere residents to participate.

"The way it was before, a person requesting an exemption knocked out 10 to 14 houses in some cases," Shuman said. "It was excluding most of the community since our lots are very small."

Shuman also said another drawback with the spraying program is the landing-rate test, though he said some residents were trying to work more closely with the agriculture department to clear that hurdle.

He said the technicians perform the test on the street, not in some of the areas, such as backyards, where the Hillsmere mosquito population seems to flourish.

"There's not as many mosquitoes out on the street as there are in my yard," Shuman said. "Some residents gave permission to have the testers enter their property to do their tests."

Brewer said her department is always available to help residents, whether they're being passed over with the sprayings or have opted out of the program.

"Hillsmere is in an unfortunate situation, there's a number of exemptions," she said. "If they're having a bad problem, residents can contact our department for help. We can send out a technician to help you figure out what you need to do."

Brewer said they won't be doing any individual spraying, but the technician will help residents track down breeding sources they may not have thought of, such as storage areas under your deck, children's toys left outside or even some flower pots.

For help, residents can call 410-841-5870.

Mosquito Control Tips

If you're sick of coating yourself with a heavy dose of bug repellant just to get the mail, here are a few tips from the MDA to curtail the mosquito population, or even get a head start on staving off a big population next summer:

1. Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
2. Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in tires used for playground equipment.
3. Store plastic wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not in use.
4. Turn over or remove clay pots and plastic containers.
5. Dispose of all empty beverage containers, plastic wrappers, discarded toys, etc.
6. Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
7. Pump out bilges in boats. Turn canoes and small boats upside down for storage.
8. Replace water in bird baths at least twice a week.
9. Remove pet food and water dishes that are not being used.
10. Flush livestock water troughs twice a week.
11. Don't leave garbage can lids lying upside down. Be sure water does not collect in the bottom of garbage cans.
12. Flush water in the bottom of plant holders twice a week.
13. Fix dripping outside water faucets.
14. Turn wheelbarrows upside down when stored outside.
15. Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.
16. Check ornamental ponds, tree holes and water-holding low areas for mosquito larvae. Call the nearest mosquito control office if you find, or suspect, mosquito larvae are present.
17. If ditches do not flow and contain stagnant water for one week or longer, they can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. Report such conditions to a mosquito control office. Do not attempt to clear these ditches because they may be protected by wetland regulations.