Trump Orders Invasive Pest Reduction in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 29, 2026, directing federal agencies to eliminate invasive ticks and mosquitoes within federal jurisdictions in Washington, D.C. The order mandates a 90 percent reduction in Asian tiger and Egyptian mosquito populations and a 50 percent reduction in tick populations by 2028.

The initiative prioritizes non-chemical, technology-enabled methods, such as sterile insect techniques, landscaping, and drainage improvements. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health and Human Services are required to establish a regulatory framework for these advanced pest control technologies within 60 days. Additionally, the order expands the Lyme Disease Moonshot initiative and directs agencies to explore labeling requirements for products containing alpha-galactose to warn consumers about red meat allergies caused by tick bites.

While the administration intends for the D.C. campaign to serve as a model for future nationwide application, the order has faced criticism. Opponents argue the move is a superficial gesture, citing simultaneous cuts to public health and climate health budgets that have stalled Lyme disease research and contributed to a dengue fever outbreak in Florida. Meanwhile, private entities like Google are seeking permits from the Environmental Protection Agency to release sterile male mosquitoes in California and Florida to combat Zika and dengue.