Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleApproximately 600,000 non-biting male mosquitoes are being deployed in the Washington, D.C. area this summer to control populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes. The mosquitoes, released by Bee Safe Mosquito Control, are infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which sterilize female mosquitoes they mate with, preventing their eggs from hatching. This initiative aims to reduce the spread of diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya and zika by targeting invasive species like the Asian Tiger mosquito. The released male mosquitoes do not bite humans, ensuring public safety while effectively controlling the pest population. The program, which has seen international success, will continue through September, with plans to expand deployment in 2026 for long-term mosquito reduction. In full600,000 mosquitos are being dropped around Washington DC to kill off blood-sucking pestsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Why 600,000 mosquitoes are being deployed around Washington DC
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleApproximately 600,000 non-biting male mosquitoes are being deployed in the Washington, D.C. area this summer to control populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes. The mosquitoes, released by Bee Safe Mosquito Control, are infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which sterilize female mosquitoes they mate with, preventing their eggs from hatching. This initiative aims to reduce the spread of diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya and zika by targeting invasive species like the Asian Tiger mosquito. The released male mosquitoes do not bite humans, ensuring public safety while effectively controlling the pest population. The program, which has seen international success, will continue through September, with plans to expand deployment in 2026 for long-term mosquito reduction. In full600,000 mosquitos are being dropped around Washington DC to kill off blood-sucking pestsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
