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Short Bites Monthly

Your digest for April 2024.

A hand holding a smartphone displaying a mosquito image with the text "April Update" on a brown background.
Short Bites Monthly ensures that our data as a public health agency remains transparent to the public and to people who are interested in our mission.
May contain: pickup truck, transportation, truck, vehicle, person, clothing, footwear, and shoe
We continue to provide the highest level of protection from vectors and vector-borne diseases to reduce outbreaks of human diseases in San Gabriel Valley.

District Communication

A man is speaking at a podium, with a mascot nearby, under a balloon arch at an event, while people are seated listening.
Image of our District’s 35th Anniversary Open House Ceremony. Photography by Jay Ebue

This month, we celebrated the District’s 35th Anniversary with an Open House Luncheon for District’s partners. We were joined by representatives from the offices of State Senator Susan Rubio, Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis. Additionally, city officials, water district representatives, and other local agency partners who have collaborated with us in the past were in attendance. 

A part of our open house included an interactive District tour, where we showed guests aspects of what we do at the District and how each department contributes to mosquito control efforts.

A woman holding a framed certificate stands near a podium, with colorful balloons and a large inflatable figure in the background.
Image of District staff accepting a Recognition Certificate.
A table with various 3D-printed objects, including models of insects, vehicles, and architectural structures.
Image of 3D printing samples done in house.
Group of people talking near a utility vehicle with equipment under a carport.
Image of District tour stop “District Vehicles”.
Audience seated at an event in a warehouse setting with a balloon arch and a speaker podium.
Image of the Open House Ceremony.
A woman holding a framed certificate stands near a podium, with colorful balloons and a large inflatable figure in the background.
A table with various 3D-printed objects, including models of insects, vehicles, and architectural structures.
Group of people talking near a utility vehicle with equipment under a carport.
Audience seated at an event in a warehouse setting with a balloon arch and a speaker podium.

We are grateful to all of those who joined us and to our staff who helped put together a marvelous anniversary event.

Outreach Overview

A circular infographic showing April outreach data, including social media, in-person, newsletter, and eco-health reach with engagement numbers.
Image of outreach stats for the past month.
A map showing Pasadena and surrounding areas in California with various markers for locations and services.
Map View: Image of outreach stats for the past month.

Mosquito Activity Overview

Our District’s surveillance team reports mosquito trap activity. The purpose of trapping is to monitor mosquito presence and risk of mosquito-borne disease.

A line graph showing average mosquitoes per trap by week over five years, with a significant peak in one year.
Image of trap report comparing weekly average comparison from 2020-2024.

This month’s report shows that 2024 trapping (red) is recording high abundance numbers compared to past years.

This means that you may see more mosquitoes in your community this month due to consistent 70 degree daytime temperatures. So it’s time to mosquito-proof your home and stock up on mosquito repellent sooner rather than later.

May contain: animal, insect, invertebrate, and mosquito
We continue to maintain essential vector surveillance including mosquito traps for disease testing, providing weekly data to the District, and maintaining mosquito fish.
Person sweeping leaves in a forest with a large tree in background.
Image of tick flagging by our Surveillance team.

 Mosquito Species Overview

This month, we conducted mosquito, black fly, and tick trapping throughout San Gabriel Valley.

See this month’s mosquito species report below:

A pie chart displaying the distribution of mosquito species with labels and a legend.
This chart depicts the overall abundance of mosquitoes collected during the current reporting period. Species listed on the far right are sorted by total amount collected during this reporting period.

If you’re wondering how to protect yourself from mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, then wearing repellent with the active ingredient DEET will cover you for all of those bites.

May contain: animal, insect, and invertebrate
We continue to provide excellent science education services and reduce mosquitoes in homes and schools within the San Gabriel Valley.

EcoHealth Highlights

The Mosquito Intelligence Academy (M.I.A.) is a K-6 NGSS-aligned boot camp. Students are empowered to take charge of their properties and halt the mosquito invasion.

Book an EcoHealth Program

A student and teacher are interacting with a tablet in a classroom setting.
Image of our Education Specialist translating M.I.A. program material in Spanish.

It is our goal to ensure all students, regardless of language preference, can engage in EcoHealth's educational programs. This year, staff will be prioritizing the translations of educational materials so they may be accessible in English, Spanish, traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese - common languages used in the San Gabriel Valley. 

Want to stay in the loop? Sign up for our EcoHealth Newsletter and be informed of professional development opportunities, FREE available NGSS- aligned programs, & the latest teacher resources for you to use in the classroom.

Sign Up for EcoHealth Newsletter

District Resources to Share

The image is a plain solid teal color background with no discernible objects or features.

Share this California Native plant photo on social media.

Plants for sale with a sign promoting mosquito-free gardening using California native plants, highlighting water conservation and pollinator support.
Image of our California Native plant giveaways for our 35th Anniversary event.

Sample Copy:

Landscape mosquitoes out with California Native plants. They’re beautiful and biodiverse plants that require less water and harbor less pests. This means you’ll save water, money, and yourself from mosquito bites.

#SGVmosquito #Landscapemosquitoesout #Californianativeplants @SGVmosquito

Share this 35th Anniversary promo video on social media.

Sample Copy:

Join the District in celebrating 35 years of providing public health services and protecting residents from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases!

#SGVmosquito @SGVmosquito

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Communications Department Mission Statement:

Increase transparency and credibility through multi-media dialogue in order to engage and motivate internal, local, regional, statewide, and nationwide stakeholders to take action and become public health agents of change in their communities.

 

🖋  Written by Ally Gaspar, Outreach Assistant