What's bugging the DMV: Spotted lanternflies, bites from ticks, mosquitoes are on the rise

WASHINGTON (7News) — The combination of summertime’s heat, humidity, and rain is making the DMV the perfect breeding ground for some pests — from fluttering spotted lanternflies, buzzing mosquitoes, to tiny ticks.

In a SciLine briefing this week, university professors from across the country explained one reason for the increase, and it has to do with the weather.

While they don’t bite or sting, the destructive and invasive spotted lanternfly can stunt plant growth and reduce crop yields, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The colorful bugs hitched a ride from Eastern Asia about a decade ago and were first spotted in Pennsylvania.

If your dog or cat happens to eat a lanternfly, don’t worry. They are non-toxic to pets.

But ticks can and will bite pets, and their humans alike, and can spread illnesses like Lyme disease.

In the Northeast last month, CDC data showed 138 tick bites for every 100,000 emergency room visits. That is up from 92 for every 100,000 ER visits in July 2024.

“We might be more familiar with things like heat waves or hurricanes or extreme flooding or wildfires, but increasingly we’re recognizing that climate change is affecting infectious diseases as well,” said Erin Mordecai, a Stanford University biology professor. “Some of these mosquito and tick-borne diseases are kind of ground zero for climate change, starting to affect our health.”

“Having a mild spring and really wet summer and really warm temperatures, I think we’re heading into what could be a serious West Nile Virus year,” warned University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Lyric Bartholomay.

In all of 2024, Virginia had nine cases of the mosquito-spread West Nile Virus, the District had four, and Maryland reported 23 cases.

So far this year, 98 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the United States, with only one case in Virginia.

While none have been reported in DC or Maryland for 2025, the mid-Atlantic’s mosquito season can last until October.

You can protect yourself and your family from mosquito and tick-borne illnesses through:

Topical repellants

• DEET.
• Picaridin.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD.

CDC does not recommend using “pure” oil of lemon eucalyptus (an essential oil that is not formulated) as a repellent because it has not undergone validated testing for safety and efficacy, and is not registered with EPA as an insect repellent. In general, parents should not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old to avoid potential allergic skin reactions.

Spatial repellents

• Aerosol insecticide spray.
• Vaporizing mats.
• Mosquito coils.

Clothing and gear

• Products that use 0.5% permethrin (a pesticide that kills ticks and mites) can be used on clothing, hats, shoes, mosquito nets, outerwear, and camping gear.
• Some gear can come pre-treated with permethrin.