U.S. President Donald Trump has mandated a significant reduction in mosquito and tick populations across the District of Columbia, targeting a 90% decrease in invasive mosquitoes and a 50% decline in ticks by 2028.
The presidential decree, published on September 29, outlines plans for the District to reduce populations of Asian tiger mosquitoes, Egyptian mosquitoes, and other invasive species by 90%, while also reducing the tick population by half. The document specifies that further reductions will be pursued as far as possible.
The order directs multiple federal agencies—including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Departments of Interior, Health, and Agriculture, and the Administration for General Services—to collaborate on developing a comprehensive plan and methodology within 60 days of signing. This initiative will utilize innovative technologies beyond traditional methods, with the EPA authorized to create and register new insect control solutions.
The decree cites several critical reasons for the campaign: the spread of serious diseases carried by these insects, economic risks associated with illness, threats to pet health, ecosystem disruptions caused by invasive mosquito species, and the hindrance they pose to outdoor recreational activities.
Experts warn that the active season for ticks this year could extend into November. In a recent case reported on August 1, Michael Larkin, a 67-year-old resident of Long Island, was diagnosed with the deadly Bourbon virus after discovering two Lone Star ticks on his leg while working in his yard. Doctor Luis Marcos confirmed the diagnosis, noting that the virus is easily mistaken for Lyme disease and lacks commercial testing protocols.
According to Anatoly Altstein, chief researcher at the Gamaleya Scientific Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology (NITSEM), the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the primary vector for the Bourbon virus. This species, native only to the Western Hemisphere, has been detected in increasing numbers across the United States.
