Mosquito Alert STL, a community-driven program seeks to find which mosquitoes are thriving and exactly where throughout the St. Louis area. By downloading a mobile application, residents can upload photos of mosquitoes and potential mosquito breeding sites. They can even report mosquito bites. Users of the app will be better able to identify the types of mosquitoes they encounter and help local health officials protect communities from the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.

The mission of citizen science is to encourage people of all ages to join scientific research. Citizen scientists use everyday technology to collect and analyze data to support public health agencies.

Mosquito Alert STL’s project team is also studying how this kind of communication and education can achieve goals to protect public health. They track downloads and use of the app for research.

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/sustainability/sustainability/biodiversecity-st-louis/mosquito-alert-stl