Gulf South VECTOR works to prevent and control vector-borne diseases through research, outreach, and strategic partnerships. We provide tools and knowledge to help communities reduce the impact of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying vectors.
Gulf South VECTOR Partner Spotlight: Kristen Healy✨
Dr. Kristen Healy is an Associate Professor at Louisiana State University, where she specializes in both environmental health and arthropods impacting human health. While much of her research has been evaluating impacts of pesticides on non-target organisms, she has a huge interest in research on thermal tolerance and temperature-dependent development in insects. She has also utilized this expertise in assisting the state with criminal investigations, in particular, establishing a postmortem interval using maggots. More recently, Dr. Healy has expanded her research to address emerging agricultural threats, including ticks and the New World screwworm. This destructive pest of livestock is experiencing a resurgence in parts of the Americas, creating renewed concerns for animal health and agricultural production.
Small amounts of standing water can create big mosquito problems! 🦟💧
Buckets, flower pots, bird baths, toys, and other outdoor containers can collect water and provide places for mosquitoes to develop. Taking just 10 minutes each week to check around your yard can make a difference.
#MosquitoPrevention #MosquitoControl #VectorControl #PublicHealth #GulfSouthVector #FightTheBite
Using a repellent correctly is just as important as choosing the right one. From selecting an EPA-registered product with a proven active ingredient to applying it safely on yourself and your children, a few simple steps can make a real difference in staying protected from mosquito and tick bites.
Swipe through for guidance on choosing, applying, and using repellent safely all season long. 🦟🌿
#InsectRepellent #PersonalProtection #MosquitoSafety #VectorOutreach
Backpacks are packed, and school is back in session! 🎒✏️
Schools and daycare facilities bring children together in close quarters, creating opportunities for unwanted pests to spread or hitch a ride home.
A few simple habits can help reduce the risk. Head lice can spread through head-to-head contact or shared personal items, so remind kids not to share hats, combs, brushes, or hair ties. Ants and cockroaches can also be attracted to crumbs and food debris left behind in backpacks and lunch bags, making regular cleanouts an important part of your routine.
Staying aware of common pest risks and practicing simple prevention can help protect your family and home all school year long.
📲 Download our full Back-to-School Social Media Toolkit using the link in our bio!
#BackToSchool #PestPrevention #SchoolHealth #IntegratedPestManagement #GulfSouthVECTOR
Have you heard of murine typhus?
Murine typhus, also called flea-borne typhus or endemic typhus, is a flea-borne disease that can cause fever, chills, headache, body aches, nausea, rash, and more. While uncommon, cases occur throughout the United States, including some Gulf Coast states.
Understanding how murine typhus spreads and recognizing its symptoms can lead to earlier treatment, reducing the risk of severe illness and shortening recovery time.
Reference:
1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December). About Flea-borne Typhus. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Reducing the risk of tick bites starts with a few simple habits before heading outdoors. ☀️🌿
Wearing protective clothing, applying an EPA-registered repellent to exposed skin, and treating clothing and gear with permethrin are among the most effective personal protection measures available. Avoiding known tick habitat can also reduce encounters.
#BeTickAware #TickSafety #PersonalProtection #VectorOutreach
Meet one of nature’s mosquito-control helpers! 🐟🌿
The Western mosquitofish is a small but mighty freshwater fish known for feeding on mosquito larvae. When used appropriately, these hardy fish can provide long-term biological mosquito control. They thrive in ponds, fountains, animal troughs, and other artificial bodies of water with very little maintenance.
Mosquitofish should never be placed into natural water bodies. For more information about mosquitofish and other larval control options for containers or human-made water features, contact your local mosquito controlprogram.
#BiologicalControl #GulfSouthVECTOR #VectorOutreach
Today, we recognize World Mosquito Day and the scientific discovery that changed how we understand mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquitoes can spread illnesses such as West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, and Zika.
Protecting yourself starts with simple actions:
✔ Eliminate standing water around your home
✔ Wear long sleeves when mosquitoes are active
✔ Use EPA-registered insect repellent
#WorldMosquitoDay #MosquitoAwareness #GulfSouthVECTOR #AMCA
Happy National Aviation Day!
Today, Gulf South VECTOR recognizes the pilots, scientists, mosquito control professionals, and public health teams who bring expertise from the ground to the skies. Their work demonstrates how aviation, science, and public service can come together to help protect the communities we call home.
Here’s to the people behind every flight and the continued innovation that keeps vector control moving forward.
#NationalAviationDay #GulfSouthVector #MosquitoControl #VectorControl
