The Maryland Department of Agriculture has informed the City that they will be spraying city-wide with two spray trucks for mosquitoes during the evening of Sunday, July 25th. 

Mayor Craig A. Moe wants to ensure we give residents enough notice of the spraying occurring this Sunday and remind you that the formula that is used has not changed and is not harmful to people and pets.

But MDA suggests that, as a precaution, residents stay inside their homes starting around 9:30pm the evening of July 25th, close their windows and bring in pets while the spray truck is in the vicinity. If there is anyone outside when the truck passes by, no spray will be released, and the truck will not make another pass down that street. 

If you wish to Opt Out of the spraying program, you can fill out the form at the MDA website -  https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/MosquitoControlExemptionForm.pdf - and submit it to [email protected] and copy our Environmental Programs Manager, Michele Blair, on the request email at [email protected].

Remember, the BEST method for preventing the increase of the mosquito population is a coordinated community Tip It or Toss It! The Asian Tiger mosquito is a container breeder, meaning that it can lay its eggs in any standing water, so here are some tips to help control the mosquito population in your neighborhoods:

• Remove any unnecessary water holding containers from the yards; including dog bowls, planters, recycling containers, trash can lids, and tires.
• Once a week, change the water in bird baths and children’s pools.
• Keep vines and grass cut.
• Clean out grass from stairwells after mowing to eliminate an attractive resting place for the bugs.

For more information, visit our website at https://www.cityoflaurel.org/em/mosquito-control-program. And you can report areas with heavy mosquito populations to Michele Blair at 301-725-5300 ext. 2203 or email her at [email protected].