US firm takes on backyard mosquitoes—with 600,000 mosquitoes

Todd Montgomery, founder of Bee Safe Mosquito Control, introduces an innovative approach to controlling backyard mosquitoes in the United States. Instead of using pesticides, Montgomery releases 600,000 Wolbachia-infected male tiger mosquitoes into suburban homes outside Washington. These males do not bite and carry a bacterium that prevents uninfected female mosquitoes from laying eggs, effectively reducing the mosquito population.

This initiative targets Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are not native to the region but can carry pathogens like dengue. The treatment, marketed as "ZAP Males," aims to provide a safer alternative to conventional pesticides, which contain chemicals like the "forever chemical" bifenthrin. Early adopters, such as Sandra Marquardt, a breast cancer survivor and sustainable textiles consultant, have reported significant improvements in their outdoor living spaces.

While some customers, like April Chunko, a mother of a toddler, have not yet noticed a substantial difference, Montgomery remains optimistic, with the service fully booked for the year and reservations for 2027 already in place. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes have shown promise in reducing Aedes aegypti populations and the risk of dengue transmission, though the efficacy can vary based on local conditions and the scale of the intervention.