Trump Orders D.C. Campaign Against Mosquitoes and Ticks

What the order requires

President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to develop and carry out a pest-control campaign across Washington, D.C. By 2028, the campaign is to reduce populations of Asian tiger mosquitoes, Egyptian mosquitoes and other invasive mosquitoes, where appropriate, by 90 percent. It also sets a 50 percent reduction target for ticks, with additional reductions where practical.

The order calls for established control measures, including removing standing water where mosquitoes reproduce. Agencies are also directed to reduce populations of rodents and deer that serve as tick hosts. Although the order includes rodents, it does not set a separate reduction target for rats or direct agencies to eliminate every rat from the District.

Genetic methods under consideration

The order tells agencies to consider sterilization, safe genetic modification and safe beneficial bacteria. It also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to prioritize and move quickly on novel mosquito- and tick-control methods or products that the agency determines are safe and effective.

One existing approach releases sterile male mosquitoes or males carrying Wolbachia bacteria. When those males reproduce with wild females, the method can reduce the number of viable offspring and suppress mosquito populations.

Gene drives are another form of genetic control, but the order does not specifically require their use. A gene drive is designed to make a chosen trait pass to nearly all offspring rather than following the usual inheritance pattern. Researchers have explored using that process to reduce the number of female mosquitoes reaching adulthood, suppress ticks or control rodents. Any product covered by the order would still depend on an EPA finding that it is safe and effective before registration or advancement.