AMCA Declares June 24-30 National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has declared the week of June 24-30 as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week 2007. Now in its eleventh year, AMCA’s Mosquito Week educates the general public about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and the important service provided by mosquito control workers throughout the United States and worldwide.

As PCOs know, mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism, with more than 1 million people dying from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they also transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to.

To raise awareness of the association and the work of mosquito control professionals in the eye of the public, Gary Clark, former president of AMCA, drafted a resolution in 1997 calling for Mosquito Week. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is observed annually in June, during the week that includes June 26 in honor of the founding of AMCA in 1935.

While nationally observed, the scope of activities for Mosquito Week is determined by local agencies based on need of the community. Displays, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children are just a few of the events which will 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 will help citizens reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in their own neighborhoods.

For information about mosquitoes or to find out about a mosquito control association or district near you, visit the AMCA Web site, www.mosquito.org.