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.
🦟 Registration is now open for the 2026 Mosquito Academy!
Join us September 22–24 for three days of expert instruction, hands-on workshops, and field training covering mosquito biology, surveillance, vector-borne diseases, pesticide safety, insecticide resistance, and mosquito identification.
📍 2100 Leon C. Simon Dr., New Orleans, LA
💲 $100/day | $300 for all three days
Register today using the link in our bio!
#MosquitoAcademy #VectorControl #PublicHealth #MosquitoControl #Training #NewOrleans
Outdoor features that hold water can quickly become mosquito habitat if not regularly maintained. 🦟
Make them part of your weekly yard check to help reduce mosquito populations and protect your family and community from mosquito-borne diseases.
#vectoroutreach #sourcereduction #mosquitohotspots #birdbaths
Repellents have different active ingredients and modes of action. Many are made to mimic naturally occuring compounds, and they usually work by masking our scent or interfering with the receptors that biting insects and ticks use to locate us.
EPA-registered repellents have been thoroughly tested and are safe and effective when used as directed. The ingredients listed here are effective against mosquitoes and ticks; check the product label for duration of protection and efficacy against other biting pests. 🦟🌿
#InsectRepellent #PersonalProtection
Did you know? 🐱🦟
Feeding feral cats may increase the risk of exposure to murine typhus, a flea-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi.
Research has identified R. typhi in fleas collected from domestic cats in South Texas. Studies also show that feral cats do not significantly reduce urban rodent populations, and food left out for cats may attract rodents and opossums, increasing opportunities for flea exposure.
References:
1. Balasubramanian, S., Zecca, I. B., Koger, A., & Hamer, S. A. (2026). Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella henselae, and related zoonotic agents in fleas from domestic cats (Felis catus) from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Parasites & Vectors.
2. Parsons, M. H., Banks, P. B., Deutsch, M. A., & Munshi-South, J. (2018). Temporal and space-use changes by rats in response to predation by feral cats in an urban ecosystem. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6, 409816.
✨Gulf South VECTOR Partner Spotlight: Anamika Sharma✨
Dr. Anamika Sharma is an Assistant Professor of Urban Entomology at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where she leads research, teaching, and outreach focused on sustainable management of urban and agricultural insect pests. She earned her Ph.D. in Entomology from Charles Sturt University in Australia and completed postdoctoral research at Montana State University and Virginia Tech. Her research integrates insect ecology, biological control, and integrated pest management (IPM) to develop environmentally responsible solutions for invasive and economically important pests, including fire ants, termites, and mosquitoes. Through research, teaching, Extension, and student mentoring, Dr. Sharma works to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that benefit agriculture, public health, and urban communities.
Happy International Cat Day!
Cats are natural explorers. Whether they`re watching butterflies, chasing grasshoppers, or tracking movement in the yard, they remind us to slow down and notice the world around us. While you`re outside with your furry friend, take a moment to learn about the insects in your environment—including the ones that can affect human and animal health. Every observation helps us better understand our local ecosystems.
#InternationalCatDay #GulfSouthVECTOR #KnowYourVectors #OutdoorLearning
Coastal flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms can lead to dramatic increases in salt marsh mosquito populations. 🌀🦟
Protect yourself by applying an EPA-registered repellent before spending time outdoors and avoiding outdoor activity when these mosquitoes are most active.
#VectorOutreach #HurricaneRecovery #MosquitoControl #PersonalProtection
Many common outdoor items can collect standing water without people realizing it. Tarps, flowerpot saucers, garden equipment, and even small items like bottle caps can hold enough water to support mosquito development. 🦟
Taking a few minutes each week to inspect your yard for unexpected sources of standing water, especially after rainfall, can make a real difference in reducing mosquito habitat around your home and protecting your family and community from mosquito-borne diseases.
#vectoroutreach #sourcereduction #mosquitohotspots #outdoorcontainers
✨Gulf South VECTOR Partner Spotlight: Philip Koehler✨
Dr. Philip G. Koehler is Emeritus Professor in Urban Entomology at the University of Florida, a fellow of the Entomological Society of America and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. During the past 50 years he has published over 200 scientific publications, given over 3,000 presentations to the pest control industry, and is well known for his research in urban entomology and structural pest control, including research on bed bugs, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, and ants.
We`re proud to partner with experts like Dr. Koehler, whose decades of research and outreach continue to strengthen vector control and public health efforts across the Gulf South.
