News Release, Maryland Department of Agriculture
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture—in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources—will treat targeted areas of the Potomac River in Washington County to control black fly populations in the area. Treatment is scheduled for Thursday, July 25, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The department will apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based larvicide via helicopter (Bell 206 Long Ranger, black paint scheme. Tail number is N651HA). 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.
The treatment may cause temporary discoloration of the water, but it is completely nontoxic and is not harmful to humans, fish, crabs or other aquatic invertebrates. More Information?
For more information on the department’s black fly program, visit our website.
