Public Notice: Maryland Agencies to Treat Back River for Midge Control on May 14

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture—in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources—will treat a targeted area of the Back River in Essex (Baltimore County) as part of a pilot program to control midge populations in the area. Treatment is scheduled for Monday, May 14, during daylight hours.

The department will treat the area by boat, using an apparatus designed specifically for midge control, which will apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based insecticide to the riverbed. Bti is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soils worldwide. It is a bacterial insecticide, not a chemical, and is only harmful to a very limited variety of organisms including midge, black fly, and mosquito larvae and a few other aquatic Dipteran (flies) insects. Bti is not harmful to humans, fish, crabs or other aquatic invertebrates. More Information​

The Midge Suppression Pilot Program was established by Governor Hogan August 10, 2017, via Executive Order 01.01.2017.17. For more information on the program, visit the department’s webpage.

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