President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order directing federal agencies to reduce invasive mosquito populations in Washington, D.C., by 90% and tick populations by 50% by 2028. The order, titled 'Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests And Restoring Enjoyment Of The Great Outdoors,' establishes a 60-day deadline for agencies to develop a D.C.-specific campaign.
The White House tasked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with implementing the initiative, which emphasizes non-chemical and technology-based approaches to pest control. The order follows a summer 2025 release of 500,000 sterile male mosquitoes in the D.C. area as part of a pilot program to curb breeding.
Key Objectives and Methods
The executive action sets measurable targets: a 90% reduction in Asian tiger mosquitoes, Egyptian mosquitoes, and other invasive mosquito species, alongside a 50% reduction in ticks by 2028. Federal agencies are instructed to prioritize remediation of breeding grounds on federally managed lands using "commonsense and technical approaches." The order also calls for expanded research into rapid diagnostics, preventive treatments, and therapies for diseases including Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika, and dengue fever.
Non-Chemical and Technological Solutions
The initiative explicitly favors non-chemical methods, including:
- Sterile insect technique: Using male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to suppress breeding.
- Public-private partnerships: Leveraging commercial capabilities and cooperative agreements for pest control.
- Labeling requirements: Directing agencies to examine options for products containing significant amounts of alpha-galactose, linked to alpha-gal syndrome.
Disease Prevention and Research Expansion
HHS is separately tasked with developing programs focused on rapid diagnostics and treatments for vector-borne illnesses. The order also encourages prize competitions and federal research programs to accelerate innovation in pest control and disease prevention. Agencies are directed to explore new technologies that could reduce populations of disease-carrying pests while protecting native ecosystems.
Background and Context
The executive order cites growing concerns over invasive mosquito and tick populations, which have become dominant in some U.S. regions. The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reported in July 2025 that these pests are increasingly problematic due to their role in spreading diseases. The initiative builds on existing efforts, including the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, established in March 2025 to address public health and environmental concerns in the nation’s capital.
Federal agencies have 60 days to submit a regulatory framework for the campaign, with implementation to follow. The order does not specify budget allocations or enforcement mechanisms beyond the directive to agencies.