As has happened for the last 17 summers, a week of awareness about the dangers of mosquitoes and the significant service of pest-control workers has been slated. Events will include displays, lectures, demonstrations, and educational programs.

The American Mosquito Control Association declared June 22 through June 28 as the eighteenth annual National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. During this period, one of the goals of the AMCA, an international organization of nearly 2,000 public health professionals, is to draw more attention to the important service provided by mosquito control workers throughout the world.

In an interview with Landscape Online weekly, Joseph Conlon, technical advisor for AMCA, pointed out that, "Mosquito control professionals have an array of new tools available to provide a more targeted approach to managing mosquito populations in accordance to the principles of integrated mosquito management."

As for the future of the industry, he stated, "Push-pull systems employing area repellents in addition to highly effective attractant traps are the subject of intense study at present and show great promise once the technologies have matured. In addition, bait formulations containing mosquito-specific attractants and toxicants will provide a valuable adjunct to standard mosquito control methodologies such as larvicides and adulticides."

Displays, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children are just a few of the events that will take place during the week to focus on mosquitoes as disease carriers and pests. Information on the mosquito life cycle and tips on how to eliminate mosquito egg-laying sites around homes are meant to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in neighborhoods.

The AMCA has been dedicated to preserving the public's health and wellbeing through safe, environmentally sound mosquito control programs since 1935. More information can be found here.