Federal order sets 2028 targets to cut ticks and mosquitoes in D.C.

An executive order directs federal agencies to develop a tick and mosquito control campaign across Washington, D.C. The targets for 2028 are a 90% reduction in invasive mosquitoes and a 50% reduction in ticks.

• Control methods: The campaign may use habitat and drainage improvements, natural controls, and advanced technologies. Agencies must prepare a framework for safe pest-control technologies and prioritize methods they find safe and effective.
• Health research: Health officials must pursue work on rapid tests, prevention, and treatments for tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, and review possible immunotherapy treatments for alpha-gal syndrome.
• Product labels: Within 60 days, officials must explore allergy-style labels for food and drug products with significant amounts of alpha-galactose.

The order sets 60-day deadlines for several actions and 90-day deadlines for research and prize-competition plans. It also calls for a plan, developed with the D.C. government as appropriate, for pest controls on lands across D.C. communities.