Vector Inspector Program (V.I.P.)
Saving lives through community science
In response to the discovery of invasive Aedes mosquitoes, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District created the Vector Inspector Program (V.I.P.).
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This community science program mobilizes students in the San Gabriel Valley to aid us in the battle against mosquitoes and the dangerous viruses they can transmit. V.I.P. is meant to decrease the number of mosquitoes in the area, making the community safer from mosquito-borne disease. We encourage parents to protect their children from mosquito bites by wearing repellent and/or wearing long sleeves and pants whenever mosquitoes are around.
Program Overview for Teachers:
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Teacher signs up and selects a cohort.
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Booking is confirmed. Presentation details are confirmed.
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If in-class presentation is selected, education specialists come into the classroom for a 45 minute presentation on a Wednesday or Thursday
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Students collect stagnant water samples that weekend from their properties and return their samples the following Monday.
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Education specialists pick up the water samples.
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Education specialists analyze student water samples and results are shared with students via Padlet the following week.
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*Education specialists will get in contact with the teacher's school district to establish a Contract and Certificate of Insurance once the teacher has signed up for the program.
Optional Lesson Extension: Mosquito Growth Jar
Teachers can extend their lesson by requesting a Mosquito Growth Jar:
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Students make predictions on mosquito growth and compare to observations over 14 days.
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Students observe mosquito growth stages and count how many of each mosquito life stage are found in the jar over the 14 days.
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Students plot observations on a graph to understand the timeline of the mosquito life cycle and watch their growth at each stage.
Lesson plan and documents provided to teachers via email.
Recommended for kindergarten through sixth grade.
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Who can host a V.I.P. program?
Residents, schools, clubs, youth groups, or other interested parties living or operating within the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District's service area.
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When conducting property inspections, all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult!
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Each survey site must be a single address or location. We strongly recommend participants survey their own property unless they have the express permission of another property owner.
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Sample pick-ups: A minimum of 15 properties surveyed is required. Less than 15 samples will require drop offs at SGVMVCD district headquarters at 1145 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790.
The privacy of our participants is very important to us. The information gathered in this program is used for the sole purpose of managing mosquito populations and reducing mosquito-borne diseases. Sample results are collected for statistical purposes only and not shared with any other agency or organization. Participation in this program will not directly result in any type of property visit or inspection without permission from the resident. However, standard property inspections, surveillance and disease investigations take place on a regular basis and participants may have future interaction with our agency in an unrelated way.
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Only with important partnerships between our agency and individuals, community groups, organizations, and schools can we keep our neighborhoods safe and healthy!