The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) designated June 21 – 27, 2020 as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.
Of course, we’re all aware of mosquitoes! They are pesky and annoying and sometimes prevent us from enjoying a fun time outdoors. So what’s the purpose of the designation of this week? Education.
The AMCA educates the public about the dangers of mosquitoes – not only to humans but to domesticated animals and wildlife – and presents ideas on how to prevent infection and eliminate mosquitoes.
Who is the American Mosquito Control Association?
“The AMCA is an international not-for-profit public service association. With 1,600 members worldwide, AMCA services are provided mainly to public agencies and their principal staff members engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research, and related activities. The membership extends to 53 countries and includes individuals and public agencies engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research, and related activities.
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. ‘We already have the mosquitoes. We are continually importing the diseases they carry,” said Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor. “We must be prepared to prevent their spread throughout our public health landscape – and this requires safe, effective, sustained mosquito control and awareness in the community.’” 1
What Is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week
This week is for educating the public about the dangers of mosquitoes and how to prevent them. Of course, at Mosquito Authority, we recommend professional mosquito control as the best way to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. We are in the business of turning yards into usable outdoor living spaces, and our mission is to keep you and your family comfortable and safe.
But what about when you’re not in your own yard? How do you stay safe from mosquito bites when you’re on a hike or at a park or camping? It is highly recommended that you wear an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, as those are the most effective ingredients. Make sure your clothing is light-colored and loose fitting to prevent mosquitoes from biting through your clothes.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are the two most common mosquito-borne diseases that are found in the US each year. Signs and symptoms can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, as well as maps indicating numbers of cases by state. Click here for WNV data, and here for EEE data.
Footnote 1: From press release “About the American Mosquito Control Association”
Sources: