Eliminate mosquitoes: New executive order targets pests in DC, tell me about this news today

President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests and Restoring Enjoyment of The Great Outdoors,” directing federal agencies to launch a major campaign to eradicate invasive pests across federal jurisdictions in Washington, D.C.

Key Targets

• Mosquitoes: Reduce invasive mosquito populationsspecifically the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti)in D.C. by 90% by 2028.

• Ticks: Cut tick populations in the District by 50% by 2028.

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Methods and Strategy

• Non-Chemical & Tech-Enabled Approaches: The order directs agencies to avoid widespread chemical spraying in favor of biological and innovative methods, such as releasing sterilized or gene-edited male mosquitoes to suppress breeding, improved drainage, and habitat remediation.

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• EPA Regulatory Framework: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Department of the Interior, USDA, and HHS, is tasked with outlining a clear regulatory path within 60 days to fast-track these novel pest-control technologies.

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• Broader Health Directives: The initiative also calls for expanded research into Lyme disease and evaluates food allergen labeling related to alpha-gal syndrome (the tick-borne red meat allergy).

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The administration intends to use the Washington, D.C. campaign as a pilot program before potentially expanding similar pest-control methods nationwide.

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