Residents are reminded to prevent mosquito bites and breeding

Warm temperatures provide the ideal climate for mosquito breeding.  The month of May is heating up and mosquito breeding will continue to increase with the climate throughout the summer months.  Coinciding with the arrival of mosquito season, the California State Legislature declared the week of April 24-30, 2011 as West Nile Virus and Mosquito & Vector Control Awareness Week in California.

The District recognized the week with the announcement of this year's 2nd Annual "Fight Back Against Mosquito Attacks" Poster Design Contest winner, participation in an Earth Day celebration hosted by L.A. County, distribution of educational materials to member cities, and reminders to the media and residents about mosquito prevention.  This week also marks the commencement of GLACVCD's summer public outreach campaign efforts. Expect to see staff at local events throughout the summer sharing mosquito prevention techniques and the importance of vector control.  The District will be participating in a regional radio advertisement campaign as well as a bus advertisement campaign this summer to encourage residents to take the simple, necessary steps to prevent mosquito breeding and disease transmission.

GLACVCD would like to remind residents that there are many ways to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito-transmitted diseases.  Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, it is important to eliminate or manage all sources of water around your home to prevent mosquito breeding.  Residents are encouraged to avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, which is between dusk and dawn.  If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants and apply insect repellent on exposed skin.  The repellent should contain DEET, Picaridin, or other EPA-registered active ingredient.  As a reminder, it is always important to apply the repellent according to label instructions.  Other precautions include maintaining door and window screens.  Holes and tears should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. (click here to read more)

Jessy Lau receives classroom recognition for her winning artwork

Congratulations to Jessy Lau from Diamond Bar

GLACVCD and the Greater Los Angeles Mosquito and Vector Control Public Health and Educational Foundation would like to congratulate fifth grade student Jessy Lau from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Elementary School in Diamond Bar for being selected as the grand prize winner of this year's Bite Back Against Mosquito Attacks Student Poster Contest.

This is the second year of the student poster contest sponsored by GLACVCD and the Educational Foundation.  The poster contest is a valuable educational tool that promotes vector control and disease prevention using an approach that engages and interests students.  Fourth through sixth grade students living within the District's 1,330 square mile boundary shared their artistic abilities by creating posters reflecting the contest's theme.  Competition was stiff this year, and selecting the winning artwork proved to be a very difficult task for the panel of judges.  

Education Program Coordinators LeShawn Simplis and Andy Pak paid a surprise visit to Mt. Calvary to personally congratulate Lau as the grand prize winner.  Lau was presented with a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and a pizza party for her class.  In addition, Lau's artwork will be featured on approximately 40 Los Angeles County Metro buses this summer as part of GLACVCD's mosquito awareness campaign.  Lau commented that she did not think she was going to win the contest and was very surprised.  She graciously received the accolades and awards in front of her classmates. (click here to read more) 

May 4        Spring Green Expo; Los Angeles

                8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

May 14-15  Bug Fair; Natural History Museum, Los Angeles

                9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

May 15      City of Downey Environmental Fair, Downey

                10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

*Visit GLACVCD's website for more info*

Headquarters

12545 Florence Avenue

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Phone: (562) 944-9656

Sylmar Branch   

16320 Foothill Boulevard

Sylmar, CA 91342   

Phone: (818) 364-9589

info@glacvcd.org       

www.glacvcd.org