You are here: Home > Departments > Parks Division> Pest Management
Change Text Size: Small  Medium  Large / Print Page

PEST MANAGEMENT

MOSQUITOES

 The Mosquito Control Section from the Maryland Department of Agricultureprovides a direct service to the City of Frederick. The primary goal of this program is to prevent the occurrence of mosquito-borne disease in humans, pets and livestock. The program relies on surveys and monitoring of the larval and adult mosquito populations to coordinate control activities. The Department schedules the treatments according to surveys that they conduct and according to weather conditions.

For more information in the Frederick area contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management, Mosquito Control, 301-927-8357

Mosquito Habitat Prevention

Residents are urged to monitor any standing water in their yards and gardens. Standing water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Residents are also encouraged to take the following steps to help minimize the mosquito population:

· Cover rain barrels with netting.
· Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
· Remove old tires or drill holes in the tires used as playground equipment.
· Turn over wheelbarrows, wagons and carts when not in use.
· Turn garbage can lids upside down and make sure trash receptacles don't contain water.
· Fix dripping faucets.
· Remove water and cover ornamental pools and water gardens that are not stocked with fish using a circulating filter system.
· Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
· Wear light clothing, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hat when outdoors.
· Use mosquito repellants according to instructions.

Please consult these web sites for further information on Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ - The Centers for Disease Control’s West Nile Virus homepage – source of information on WNV as well as mosquito control (multi-lingual).

www.edcp.org/html/west_nile.html - Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, West Nile Virus Information Page

ANIMAL PESTS

Geese and Ducks

The City of Frederick discourages the feeding of wildlife in city parks.

Canada goose populations have increasingly intensified and localized in urban and suburban environments throughout North America. Attracted to open expanses of turf grass, preferably adjacent to a water-body, Canada geese and human beings often occupy public green spaces at similar times of the year. Many citizens enjoy the presence of geese in urban and suburban environments, although, others do not.

“According to experts, geese select forage sites based primarily on safety considerations. Almost every nuisance site has a lawn that abuts a body of water so that a foraging goose could seek refuge on the water if disturbed.” (Conover: 1991a)

Don't Feed the Geese and Ducks!

    * Feeding geese and ducks is dangerous to the well being of the birds. Geese and ducks can choke and die on many of the types of food people feed to them (bread, crackers, tacos etc.)
    * Feeding geese ducks may increase pressure on municipalities to cull or relocate the geese.
    * Feeding and thereby encouraging concentrations of geese and ducks at specific locations may affect serious soil erosion and therefore poor water quality.

Follow this link more information

Birds

Birds in street trees are attracted to the populated areas due to the food sources and the warmth of the pavement and homes. The City can only offer a temporary form of relief. Bird complaints can be registered by calling 301-600-1440.