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Short Bites Monthly

Your digest for May 2024.

Hand holding a smartphone with a "May Update" message and a mosquito graphic on the screen.
Short Bites Monthly ensures that our data as a public health agency remains transparent to the public and to people who are interested in our mission.
May contain: pickup truck, transportation, truck, vehicle, person, clothing, footwear, and shoe
We continue to provide the highest level of protection from vectors and vector-borne diseases to reduce outbreaks of human diseases in San Gabriel Valley.

District Communication

An inflatable mosquito exhibit with educational banners, a train in the background, and shaded outdoor setting.
Image of our giant inflatable mosquito, Dez Eez, at the L.A. County Fair.

This month, we educated students at L.A. Fair Kids. We engaged students by hosting an interactive display that focuses on Aedes mosquitoes (like Dez Eez ...  kinda like "Disease") and mosquito larvae. Many students and teachers told our Outreach Team that it was a very memorable experience at the fair. 

Educational outdoor event with a woman demonstrating to attentive children, mosquito life cycle on display, "Repel, Don't Swell" banner.
Image of Director of Communications educating students at L.A. County Fair Kids. 

Outreach Overview

A circular outreach diagram depicting social media, in-person, newsletter, and ecohealth reach with engagement and reader/student numbers.
Image of outreach stats for the past month.

Mosquito Activity Overview

Our District’s surveillance team reports mosquito trap activity. The purpose of trapping is to monitor mosquito presence and risk of mosquito-borne disease.

A colorful line graph showing the average mosquitoes per trap by week for the years 2020-2024.
Image of trap report comparing weekly average comparison from 2020-2024.

This month’s report shows that 2024 trapping (red) is recording lower abundance numbers compared to past years.

This means that mosquitoes are present but that there are not as many at this time compared to years past. With more residents spending time outdoors, remember to wear mosquito repellent every time you're outside to stay bite-free. 

A map with blue dots, possibly depicting locations or data points in the eastern Los Angeles area.
Image of this month's total mosquito count per trap .
May contain: animal, insect, invertebrate, and mosquito
We continue to maintain essential vector surveillance including mosquito traps for disease testing, providing weekly data to the District, and maintaining mosquito fish.
Two people by a river with rocks and vegetation.
Image of black fly surveillance and testing in a river. 

 Mosquito Species Overview

This month, we conducted mosquito, black fly, and tick trapping throughout San Gabriel Valley.

See this month’s mosquito species report below:

Pie chart showing mosquito species distribution with Cx quinquefasciatus dominating at 85.61%.
This chart depicts the overall abundance of mosquitoes collected during the current reporting period. Species listed on the far right are sorted by total amount collected during this reporting period.

If you’re wondering how to protect yourself from mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, then wearing repellent with the active ingredient DEET will cover you for all of those bites.

May contain: animal, insect, and invertebrate
We continue to provide excellent science education services and reduce mosquitoes in homes and schools within the San Gabriel Valley.

EcoHealth Highlights

Our interactive EcoHealth activities bring science to classrooms. Check out our EcoHealth Vector Education website and see what FREE and NGSS-aligned programs we have for you. 

An outdoor educational event with people interacting at booths focused on health and mosquito prevention.
Image of Education Specialist leading an interactive activity about mosquito larvae.

Want to stay in the loop? Sign up for our EcoHealth Newsletter and be informed of professional development opportunities, FREE available NGSS- aligned programs, & the latest teacher resources for you to use in the classroom.

Sign Up for EcoHealth Newsletter

District Resources to Share

Animated grumpy cat staring at a fallen smartphone on the floor.

Share our new music video

Sample Copy:

Discover the magic of wearing repellent in the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District's latest music video. Look for ONE of the following active ingredients on repellent bottle labels: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535.

#SGVmosquito #losrepelentes @SGVmosquito

May contain: computer, electronics, laptop, and pc

Communications Department Mission Statement:

Increase transparency and credibility through multi-media dialogue in order to engage and motivate internal, local, regional, statewide, and nationwide stakeholders to take action and become public health agents of change in their communities.

 

🖋  Written by Ally Gaspar, Outreach Assistant