During a recent government meeting, Dr. Tanya McKay from Arkansas State University presented an update on the Jonesboro Citizen Science Mosquito Survey, a collaborative project aimed at educating the community about mosquito populations and enhancing local pest management efforts. Dr. McKay introduced her team, which includes both undergraduate and graduate students, and outlined the project's objectives, which focus on monitoring mosquito populations through citizen involvement.

The initiative encourages residents to participate by allowing researchers to set mosquito traps in their backyards. The data collected will help inform local vector control decisions, as the team aims to provide accurate population counts to the city’s vector control department. Dr. McKay emphasized the importance of community engagement in this process, stating that the project is not solely about eradicating mosquitoes but about understanding their presence and biology to inform better management strategies.

The project has already seen significant activity, with over 1,700 mosquitoes captured in just two weeks of monitoring. Dr. McKay noted that the traps, which are essential for the study, are costly—averaging around $900 each due to supply chain issues—and that the team is currently limited to deploying a small number of traps each night.

Council members expressed interest in the data being collected, ensuring that it would be accessible to them as well as to the vector control team. Dr. McKay confirmed that the information would be shared with the council, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.

Additionally, the team aims to involve local youth in the project, promoting science education and encouraging the next generation to engage in pest management and environmental science. Dr. McKay concluded by stressing the importance of monitoring as the first step in integrated pest management, inviting community members to participate and contribute to the ongoing efforts to manage mosquito populations in Jonesboro.