Washington County wants to help fund black fly program

The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed informally Tuesday that they want to help fund a spray program to deal with bloodsucking black flies that can be “unbearable” to residents and tourists in South County.

“They really make our life impossible. We can’t sit outside. It’s very hard to work outside if you don’t have a net on,” Rohrersville resident Judy Warner told the commissioners.

The state began a spraying program in August 2017 for the black flies, also known as buffalo gnats. A helicopter flies along the Potomac River, spraying Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or Bti, which is a natural soil bacteria. The bacteria affect the fly larvae but is nontoxic to people and other insects, according to a presentation document provided to the commissioners.

Warner said the flies breed in the Potomac River.

The spray program that began last year was a pilot program, said Kathryn Blass, a legislative aide for Del. Neil Parrott. The program needs more money, and Parrott believes there is a better chance for state funding if there’s county backing, she said.

Parrott couldn’t attend the commissioners meeting due to another commitment.

Warner said there were sprayings in April, May and June this year, but then the state ran out of money for the program. The fly problem lasts into October.

“We saw a big difference right away” after those sprayings, Warner said. “We could be outside on our properties.”

Commissioner Cort Meinelschmidt said he understands the problem because his parents live on Taylors Landing Road and he grew up in that area.

Meinelschmidt said he also was concerned about the black flies from an economic development and tourism aspect. The county doesn’t want tourists visiting, getting attacked by black flies, and not returning.

He said he wants to see whether Frederick County, Md., which also has issues with black flies, will contribute financially.

The commissioners agreed informally to help with funding.

County Administrator Robert Slocum said he didn’t have specific dollar figures, but the county could help.

Slocum said they might be able to use hotel-rental tax revenue.

An entire season of spraying along the Potomac River would cost an estimated $250,000, according to the agenda document. Warner said each spraying costs about $40,000.

There is a Facebook page, Washington County Gnat Fighters — MD, for the campaign for a spray program, Warner said in an email.