PENNSYLVANIA, USA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has officially begun its efforts to control the black fly population in the Commonwealth.
This year's Black Fly Suppression Program involves monitoring and treating 48 rivers and streams spanning more than 1,800 miles.
“As the weather turns warmer, Pennsylvanians will be spending more time outdoors, and black flies (biting gnats) are a pest that can make being outside a lot less fun,” said DEP acting secretary Jessica Shirley. “This annual treatment program reduces this nuisance so that Pennsylvanians and visitors can fully enjoy outdoor activities.”
The program involves aerial and backpack spraying. Spraying activities will be performed both by helicopters flying over waterways and ground crews using backpack sprayers off of bridges and wading in streams. Helicopter treatments involve aircraft flying low over waterways and dispersing treatment material that looks like chocolate milk.
DEP uses Bti, a naturally occurring bacterium, to treat the larval stage of four specific black fly species. This bacterium degrades quickly in the environment, is not toxic to fish, and does not harm the aquatic ecosystem, humans, birds, or other insects.
The frequency of the treatments will depend on weather and biological conditions. Treatments cannot occur during periods of heavy rain or when water levels are high as these conditions lower the effectiveness of the treatment and significantly increase the cost of the control operations.
Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel can to call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area on that day. Spray notifications can also be found on the DEP’s Vector Management Program website Vector Management (pa.gov) and clicking the link 2024 Spray Notifications. This schedule is subject to change depending on weather and water conditions.
Residents can report complaints about black fly populations directly to DEP by filling out this form.
