ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture—in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources—will treat a targeted area of the Potomac River in Washington County to control black fly populations in the area. Treatment is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, starting at 8:30 a.m.

The department will apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based larvicide via helicopter (Bell OH58, gray with blue and red paint scheme. Tail number is N659HA). 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.

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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.

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Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept

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