Public Education and Community Outreach

1. Public education of virus transmission can play an important role in the prevention of mosquito borne diseases by increasing awareness and changing human behavior habits (maintaining premises, scheduling outdoor activities, using repellents).

2. Reduction of mosquito breeding around the home by homeowners reduces insecticide use and allows mosquito abatement personnel to concentrate efforts in other areas (barrier spraying against long-range mosquitoes).

3. Attitudes toward mosquito abatement programs and willingness to economically support them can be positive when appropriate information is delivered properly and on a timely basis.

1. News releases are regularly used for informing the public of ongoing mosquito control activities. These include television, newspaper and radio, as either Public Service or paid ads and, in some cases, Public Access channels.

2. Educational presentations and hands on information are given to students by personnel who go to schools and daycare facilities throughout the community. Depending on age, this will include biology, control strategies, mosquito rearing kits, disease information and games (a number available through AMCA and CDC, see Websites).

3. Displays may be set at libraries and other various community settings.

4. Brochures describing specific activities of the operation are available and distributed to the general public. Distribution can be door to door, in utility bills and by other means.

5. Civic presentations of information on mosquitoes and their control are given by personnel at civic organizations, garden clubs, chambers of commerce, etc.

6. Premises inspection by personnel who explain their findings to homeowners when they respond to service requests.

7. Video programs produced in-house.

8. Websites give information on various concerns regarding abatement activities (mosquito control, biology, services, etc.), and may offer links to other information sources such as local, state and federal government sites (see Websites).

9. Other public education programs include open houses and tour of district mosquito abatement facilities, presentations of awards to students who develop the best mosquito poster or project at local science fairs, hosting information booths at fairs and festivals, etc.

1. Resources for educational materials may be available through other agencies such as AMCA, CDC, DHH/OPH, EPA, LMCA, LSU AgCenter (see Websites).

1. The director and/or biologist/entomologist should perform or supervise the performance of all educational activities conducted by the mosquito abatement district.

2. The inspector(s) shall perform premises inspections and assist with other educational activities as directed. Every contact the Inspector has is an opportunity to disseminate information on prevention and control.