Foundational Training Resources Designed for Vector Control Programs

Jun 23, 2020 | Anu Varma

Through the Vector Control Collaborative (VCC) Program, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is establishing a growing network of local vector control organizations that can share resources, experiences, and lessons learned with other local vector control programs. The VCC provides a critical opportunity for local vector control programs to share best practices in vector control and surveillance and guidance, tools, and recommendations in implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) principles. Vector Control Collaborative mentors provide targeted assistance to programs that are looking to build their capacity to detect and respond to mosquito-borne and tick-borne disease threats.

This page highlights several foundational training resources that have been helpful to past VCC program participants, and which can be helpful for any local health department seeking educational resources on mosquito and tick control programs.

Online Training Resources

  • Tick Surveillance Practices in the Northeast: A complete webinar recording, plus presentation slides, the question-and-answer discussion, and supplemental resource materials, are available and are open-access.
  • Vector Control for Environmental Health Professionals (VCEHP): This is an 11-course learning series developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners. The program emphasized the use of IPM to address public health pests and vectors that spread disease.
  • Mosquito Training Course for Pest Managers: This is an online course in mosquito training for pest managers. Participants who complete the 11 modules in the course will learn to identify and understand the mosquitoes of major importance in the urban environment, their life cycles, the general methods of control, personal protective equipment required for safe insecticide application, and the laws and regulations governing mosquito control for the urban pest management industry.
  • Mosquito Surveillance: Trapping and Biology: On June 7, 2018, NACCHO hosted a webinar with Florida’s Lee County Mosquito Control District based on one of the most popular technical training sessions from this year’s Vector Control Summit. Rachel Morreale and Milton Sterling reviewed how to select, use, and maintain different types of mosquito traps. Participants also learned common errors associated with the use of each type of trap. Listen to the complete recording.
  • Using Mosquito Surveillance to Make Decisions about Control Methods: On August 23, 2018, NACCHO hosted a Q&A-based webinar to provide technical assistance in the most pressing areas of vector control. Dr. Roxanne Connelly from CDC led the stimulating discussion, along with a panel of local mosquito control experts, on making informed decisions about integrated control methods.
  • The CDC bottle bioassay video & resources: The CDC bottle bioassay determines if a particular formulation (combination of the active ingredient in the insecticide and inactive ingredients) is able to kill an insect vector, such as a mosquito, at a specific location at a given time. It can detect resistance to insecticides in mosquitoes and other insects. The technique is simple, rapid, and economical, compared with alternatives. The results can help guide the choice of insecticide used for spraying.

In-Person Training Resources

  • Vector Biology Boot Camp: The Vector Biology Boot Camp is an annual event offered by the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases and the Louis Calder Center of Fordham University, providing hands-on learning opportunities in vector surveillance program operations.
  • FMCA DODD Short Courses: The Dodd Plenary Short Courses are held for five days during the winter, usually at the end of January or beginning of February. The courses, taught by recognized experts, cover topics such as mosquito identification, and chemical and biological control techniques. Visit www.floridamosquito.org for more information.
  • The U. S. National Tick Collection at the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science (Georgia Southern University), and the CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases is planning to offer the “3rd Annual Tick Workshop” at Georgia Southern (Statesboro, GA). However, the workshop is currently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit https://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/usntc/center-of-excellence-tick-workshop-2020/ for updates.

Finally, interested program officials are encouraged to explore the links below, and connect with the Center of Excellence in your region for additional vector-related training opportunities and resources.

More resources on vector surveillance and control can be found by searching the Vector Control Toolkit in the NACCHO Toolbox. The NACCHO Toolbox is a free, online collection of public health tools that have been created and shared by members of the public health community. To view the Vector Control Toolkit, visit the NACCHO Toolbox and select “Vector Control Toolkit” from the dropdown menu.

If you have any questions about these resources, or would like to submit a tool of your own to the Vector Control Toolkit, please contact the NACCHO Vector Control Program at [email protected].


NACCHO logo small version02 square N pms321 Invert

About Anu Varma

Pronouns: She/Her

Anupama Varma is a Communications Specialist for Environmental Health at NACCHO.

More posts by Anu Varma

Related Posts

I Stock 1149466575
  • Funding Opportunity

Five Reasons to Apply for Retail Food Safety Mentorship!

This annual funding opportunity closes October 11.

Oct 02, 2023 | Anu Varma

Five Reasons to Apply for Retail Food Safety Mentorship!

Happy senior woman in swimming pool leaning on edge i Stock 1364551940
  • Tools & Resources
  • Community Health
  • Healthy Living & Prevention

Pueblo County’s Model Aquatic Health Code Adoption...

New NACCHO Toolbox in aquatic health and safety.

Sep 26, 2023 | Rebecca Rainey

Pueblo County’s Model Aquatic Health Code Adoption...

26256832 Meeting 2
  • Webinar
  • Community Engagement
  • Climate Change

Get to Know Your NACCHO Climate Ambassador Community

Meet your peers from across the country who are committed to this work.

Sep 20, 2023 | Anu Varma

Get to Know Your NACCHO Climate Ambassador Community

SFTF Town of Natick
  • Community Engagement
  • Community Resilience
  • Climate Change
  • Success Story

Who Ya Gonna Call... When You Don’t Speak English?

If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, you call the Ghostbusters....

Sep 18, 2023 | Jillian Wilson Martin, Town of Natick

Who Ya Gonna Call... When You Don’t Speak English?

Archuleta County CO
  • Community Health Assessment and Improvement Planning
  • Community Health
  • Climate Change
  • Success Story

Progressing on Climate Adaptation for Archuleta and La...

San Juan Basin Public Health’s conclusions demonstrate the importance of...

Sep 18, 2023 | Brian Devine, San Juan Basin Public Health

Progressing on Climate Adaptation for Archuleta and La...

Franklin County OH
  • Community Health
  • Climate Change
  • Success Story

Developing Local Environmental Public Health Indicators...

Franklin County Public Health developed a set of local environmental public...

Sep 18, 2023 | Jennie McAdams, Franklin County Public Health

Developing Local Environmental Public Health Indicators...

Heat stroke
  • Climate Change
  • Emergency Response
  • Extreme Weather
  • Success Story

Planning for Extreme Heat in a Changing Climate

With the climate changing quickly, emergency planning for extreme weather...

Sep 18, 2023 | Dawn Ford, Hamilton County Public Health

Planning for Extreme Heat in a Changing Climate

I Stock 1382389238
  • Climate Change
  • Opportunity
  • Training

Join us for a Climate Ambassador Training for Public...

Get knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and take action on...

Sep 15, 2023 | Anu Varma

Join us for a Climate Ambassador Training for Public...

Lyme disease label on a test tube with tick inside i Stock 1223178635
  • Tools & Resources
  • Infection, Prevention, and Control
  • Vector Control

A Few Tools from NACCHO’s Toolbox in Vector Control and...

Useful information to help LHDs monitor outbreaks and provide effective vector...

Sep 12, 2023 | Shermeen Rais

A Few Tools from NACCHO’s Toolbox in Vector Control and...

Back to Top