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.
One week til BugFest!
Gulf South VECTOR is a proud sponsor & exhibitor of this year`s BugFest.
Hosted by the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, BugFest brings together entomologists, educators, conservation organizations, and community partners for an interactive festival designed to inspire curiosity about the natural world.
#bugfest2026
It’s hurricane season. 🌀🌧️
After a storm, standing water can collect in containers, gutters, debris, and other outdoor areas, creating ideal places for mosquitoes to develop.
Protect yourself, your family, and your pets by removing standing water, using an EPA-registered insect repellent, and checking screens on windows and doors.
Environmental conditions directly influence vector biology and disease risk. Understanding that connection is essential to effective prevention and control. 🌍🦟
#environmentalhealth #vectorcontrol #vectorbornediseases
Have you seen the ""Mosquito Bucket of Doom"" trending online?
It`s bucket of water with Bti dunks or granules inside, meant to lure egg-laying mosquitoes and kill their larvae. While Bti is a safe and effective mosquito larvicide, the bucket method has real limitations. Not all mosquitoes are attracted to buckets, and the ones that are often do not lay all their eggs in one place - so they may still be breeding in other spots around your yard. Bti can also break down quickly in water due to rain and other environmental factors, making it hard to keep up with.
The most reliable way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard is still source reduction, which means checking outdoor areas at least weekly and eliminating standing water wherever you find it. 🦟
#MosquitoMyths #SourceReduction #VectorControl
World Rabies Day is observed every September 28 to raise awareness about rabies prevention and the global effort to eliminate the disease.
Today, safe and effective vaccines are available for both animals and humans, and community awareness remains the key driver of successful prevention efforts. In the United States, 1.4 million Americans seek healthcare for possible rabies exposure each year, yet fewer than 10 die annually thanks to robust prevention efforts and timely post-exposure treatment.
Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are the major wildlife carriers of rabies in the U.S., and contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths. Rabid dogs are uncommon in the U.S. due to effective prevention and control programs.
Vaccinate your pets, know the signs of rabies, and seek medical attention immediately after any potential exposure. 🐾
#WorldRabiesDay #OneHealth #RabiesPrevention
World Environmental Health Day is a reminder that the environments where we live, work, and play have a direct impact on our health. 🌍🦟
Environmental health professionals work behind the scenes to identify risks, translate science into policy, and protect communities from hazards. Vector control is one example of environmental health in action, bringing together surveillance, science, and community participation to reduce disease risk.
On this day, we recognize the professionals doing that work and encourage everyone to play their part in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
#WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #EnvironmentalHealth #VectorControl #PublicHealth
Jamestown Canyon virus spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, making it a mosquito‑borne disease.
The virus circulates between mosquitoes and deer and other animals. People are dead‑end hosts, meaning they cannot pass the virus back to mosquitoes. Most infections are mild, with symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue, though severe illness, including meningitis or encephalitis, can occur.
There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent or treat Jamestown Canyon virus disease. The best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.
🔗 Visit the link in our bio for more information
Your pet might not be the only animal interested in their dinner. 🐾
Rodents are opportunistic feeders, and unattended pet food is one of the most common attractants around homes and neighborhoods. Once they establish a reliable food source, they begin nesting nearby, increasing the risk of property damage and disease.
#GulfSouthVector #RodentPrevention #WildlifeSafety
Happy first day of fall! 🍂
It`s a beautiful time to get outside, but wooded areas, leaf piles, and tall grass are prime habitat for ticks. As leaves fall and accumulate on the ground, they create the warm, moist conditions ticks need to survive and find hosts. Ticks remain active in the fall and can be difficult to spot against fall foliage and clothing.
Wearing an EPA-registered repellent, treating clothing and gear with permethrin, and doing a thorough tick check after any time spent outdoors are simple steps that can help protect you and your family this season.
#FallSafety #TickSafety #PersonalProtection #VectorControl
