Reaching Constituents

REACHING YOUR CONSTITUENTS 

An educational outreach program is a core part of an integrated vector management plan. Vector control staff need the understanding and participation of the public to most efficiently reduce mosquito breeding locations and to reduce the risk of encounters with and bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors.

How can you reach the residents in your area?

  • Online materials, like a website and social media platforms.
  • In-person presentations and tabling, like at community events, fairs, libraries, schools, and other locations.
  • Printed materials, like pamphlets, informational sheets, door hangers, and coloring books – also check with your state health department to see if they offer any free printed materials you can share with the public.
  • Promotional items, like repellent samples (e.g. DEET or picaridin wipes), mosquito ‘dunks’ (a larval mosquito control product that people can use at home), window screen patches, tick removal kits, and branded materials like pens, pencils, notepads, plastic magnifying glasses, stickers, tick tattoos, etc.
  • Don’t forget to train your staff about HOW to communicate to the public – which words to use (or not use), how to approach tricky topics, deescalation techniques, etc.
  • Work with other departments/programs (list of suggestions here, housing authority, clean water, drainage, water districts, etc.)
  • CDC has resources you can download and use on their mosquito communications webpage.


Examples and ideas for educational outreach campaigns


Who needs to know about your work and whose work do you need to know about?

It’s best to be in contact with critical partners and collaborators as early as possible so that you have existing relationships before issues arise. Here are some examples of collaborators you may want to consider establishing relationships with.

Internal:

    • Epidemiology
    • Communications/Creative services
    • Emergency preparedness
    • Laboratory (if available)
    • Environmental Health
    • Public works, including storm water management
    • Code compliance and enforcement

External

    • State health department
    • CDC
    • Vendors/distributors
    • Other local departments, such as Environmental Health Services or Department of Parks and Recreation
    • Neighboring vector control programs
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