Exceptionally high rainfall during the last week of June has created ideal mosquito breeding conditions in Dorchester and Somerset counties and other areas of Maryland‘s Eastern Shore, where over 12 inches of rain fell in some locations. To effectively and efficiently control the adult mosquito population, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), in cooperation with county governments, began to conduct insecticide spraying using an aircraft on the evening of Thursday, July 6 and will continue the remainder of the week, depending on weather conditions.

Weather permitting, aerial spraying of an expected total of 50,000 to 60,000 acres will be done in the evening hours with Naled insecticide at one fluid ounce per acre. Naled has an excellent record of effectiveness in controlling mosquitoes and is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use over waters, wetlands, wooded areas and residential areas