AmeriCorps Volunteers Help Homeowners Bite Back Against Asian Tiger Mosquito

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in collaboration with the Monmouth County Mosquito Commission, Mercer County Mosquito Control and the United States Department of Agriculture, are working to develop an area-wide management strategy to reduce the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito population.

Teams from AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) have been going door-to-door to teach homeowners how to reduce the standing water habitats in which mosquitoes breed. The community outreach, which began in mid-July, will also involve community events, such as tire recycling days and community presentations, and continues throughout the month of August.

“The project, which is a joint effort between the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, the Department of Entomology and AmeriCorps, involves community education about mosquitoes and their control to help protect citizens in Monmouth and Mercer County from exposure to various diseases potentially carried by the Asian tiger mosquito,” said George Hamilton, extension specialist in pest management, Rutgers Department of Entomology.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes Albopictus, is not only a serious nuisance but poses significant public health risks. The campaign in New Jersey is part of a larger national effort to eradicate the threat posed by the Asian tiger mosquito, which is associated with the transmission of dengue, eastern equine encephalitis and dog heartworm. Rutgers Center for Vector Biology at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station is a major partner in a five-year, $3.8 million USDA project that began in 2008, which aims to use integrated pest management techniques to suppress the Asian tiger mosquito across the country.

“I'm always amazed at what can be accomplished when we get the community involved in a project,” said Stephanie Miller, media representative, AmeriCorps NCCC. “My team has enjoyed speaking with homeowners the past two weeks and we have seen first-hand the progress already made to reduce standing water through the joint efforts of Rutgers University, Monmouth County Mosquito Commission and community members.”

The project has already addressed its first goal of raising awareness of the Asian tiger mosquito and its associated hazards. The current effort involves enlisting the help of the communities to accomplish its goal of eradicating the pest at its source.

About AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
AmeriCorps NCCC is a leadership program for young people ages 18 to 24. In exchange for completing 1,700 hours of service during a 10-month term, members receive an education award of more than $5,000, plus a living stipend, housing and more. AmeriCorps programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. Interested applicants and project sponsors are encouraged to learn more by visiting http://www.americorps.gov/nccc or calling 1-800-942-2677.