We made national press this week, featured in the Washington Post and on CNN, plus nods from the 51st and GardenDC podcast. Share far and wide!
DC Health walked the neighborhood with us, but one person can't cover the whole city 🚶♂️
They're showing up, but proactive standing-water work needs more hands than the city is giving it, and we're pushing for that.
One person covers surveillance and trapping across all 8 wards, checking traps 3x a week. Above and beyond her job, she's been treating standing water complaints too, hitting 100% within 5 days this season. Remarkable work, though that 100% is only of what gets reported. If reporting reflected the real volume out there, no one person could keep up.
There are other limits too: DCPS and DCPR properties are out of scope, and catch basins draining to the Anacostia can't be treated under current guidance. I'm following up on both.
The honest take: one person cannot treat all the standing water in this city. DC Water, DDOT, and DOEE have roles here and aren't playing them. There's a huge amount of room between "nothing" and "spray everything," and we need the city to fill it. Councilmember Allen's office has agreed to make inquiries at DOEE and DC Water, and I'm looking into other avenues. More to come.
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Towns across the country want in, but we're getting DC right first 🌎
We're hearing from towns all over the country asking how to start something like this. It's where we're headed, but getting DC right comes first: a proven model we can refine and share. Outside DC and want to try it now? Reach out. I'm always happy to share what we've learned.
A little CO2 makes Mosquitaire traps way better. DIY it, or join our group deal 💨
I've been blown away by my Mosquitaire's catch rate since hooking it to a CO2 canister, so I got curious how the cheap DIY version compares. I tried it: 2 cups warm water, ½ cup sugar, ½ tsp dry active yeast in a clean milk jug, holes poked in the cap, set by the trap (the yeast eats the sugar and gives off CO2). It only lasts about 2 days, but the results were close to my canister's. A cheap, fun try.
For something that lasts weeks, you can hook up canister CO2. For DC locals, I'm working out a group deal with Robert's Oxygen: ~15–20% off canisters (5, 10, 20 lb) and refills. I'm also looking into a central neighborhood pickup spot to save on delivery and shipping. Want in? Reply so I can get a rough headcount. (Setting up the group account is what's finally nudging us to formalize the org. Two birds!)
Biogents: cheaper boosters plus a trap heads-up 🦟
Our community discount on CO2 boosters (which attach a canister to your trap) dropped from $90 to $75. And with all the press, trap inventory (GATs and Mosquitaires) is likely to sell out soon, with restocking a ~5-week air freight from overseas. Holding out on a trap? Now's the time.
No time to DIY? Bee Safe is the spray-free pro option 🐝
Bee Safe is the DMV's only no-spray service, with a Capitol Hill discount through end of June. Already trapping and happy? No need, just more options, same results. https://beesafemosquitocontrol.com/get-a-quote/
March with us July 4th at the Barracks Row parade 🎆
We'll be lining up at 9:30am under the bridge at 8th St & Virginia Ave SE.
After the rain: close your bins, report standing water 🌧️
A little rain's in the forecast, so check your bins, close the lids, and walk your property afterward. Spot standing water in a grate or catch basin out in the world? Report it to DC Health - If you don't report it, they won't treat it, and the city won't know the true scale.
And last but certainly not least: thank you so much to this group for your interest and participation! None of this works without you doing the work and spreading the word. We're still early in the season, but I'm optimistic that we will all enjoy many an outdoor BBQ!
Michelle
ittybittymosquitocommittee.org
hello@ittybittymosquitocommittee.org