Mosquito Control

The City of College Park cooperates with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to identify and control mosquito populations. Larviciding treatments are made by MDA personnel to known areas of standing water to control mosquito larva by preventing development into adult mosquitos. MDA spraying to control adult mosquitoes can occur June through September. Wednesday is the designated night when spraying for adult mosquitoes may occur in College Park. MDA does not spray individual properties; they drive on streets with truck mounted equipment to treat neighborhoods that meet established thresholds.

Request for Exemption from Adult Mosquito Control Services. Any resident who wishes to have the frontage of their property excluded from adult mosquito control pesticide applications, by truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers must fill out this form annually. Click here for the application.

For permanent areas of standing water (ponds, rain barrels, etc.), mosquito "torpedos" can be used to target and control mosquito larvae. Visit Public Works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.to obtain a mosquito torpedo.

Contact the Mosquito Control Section of the Maryland Department of Agriculture for additional assistance and advice. For more information click here to visit their website or call them at 410-841-5870.

Pesticides and Pollinators: MDA is frequently asked questions about the impact mosquito control pesticides have on honeybees and other pollinators. First, truck mounted mosquito spraying only reaches about 300 feet from the truck. If beehives are close to the road, they should be covered. If they are further than 300 feet from the road, they should not be impacted. In addition, the EPA-approved labels for the pesticides used for adult mosquito control include pollinator protective restrictions that must be followed except in cases of dire health emergencies. The department follows those restrictions. Finally, the department conducts adult mosquito spraying after sunset and before sunrise when pollinators generally are not active. Beekeepers can get their property exempted from routine sprays and/or they can cover their hives. There is a growing body of evidence that shows mosquito control done properly has minimal effects on the health of honeybees.