How much do you know about mosquitoes?

We bet you'll learn even more if you join us at Lee County Mosquito Control March 1.

Meanwhile:
1. What natural phenomenon increased mosquito activity by 500 percent in one study?
A full moon.

2. How many mosquito species are known to be in the United States?
176.

And more fun facts:

• Mosquitoes are known from as far back as the Triassic Period – 400 million years ago. They are known from North America from the Cretaceous – 100 million years ago.
• There are about 2,700 species of mosquito. There are 176 species in the United States.
• The average mosquito weighs about 2.5 milligrams.
• The average mosquito takes in about 5-millionths of a liter of blood during feeding.
• Mosquitoes find hosts by sight (they observe movement); by detecting infra-red radiation emitted by warm bodies; and by chemical signals (mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid, among other chemicals) at distances of 25 to 35 meters.
• Mosquitoes fly an estimated 1 to 1.5 miles per hour.
• Salt marsh mosquitoes can migrate up to 40 miles for a meal.
• Bigger people are often more attractive to mosquitoes because they are larger targets and they produce more mosquito attractants, namely CO2 and lactic acid.
• Active or fidgety people also produce more CO2 and lactic acid.
• Smelly feet are attractive to certain species of mosquitoes – as is Limburger Cheese.
• Dark clothing has been shown to attract some species of mosquitoes more than lighter colored clothing.
• Movement increased mosquito biting up to 50% in some research tests.

FROM MOSQUITO.ORG

January lunch at the police academy

FPRA GOES TO THE POLICE ACADEMY

In the first of 2016's planned offsite lunches on Jan. 5, we met at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy in Fort Myers for a tour, talk and lunch.
The academy's Todd Everly told us about the criminal justice and fire fighting courses conducted there in a semi-military style. The academy is affiliated with the Lee County School District and Fort Myers Technical College.

We toured the building, a former elementary school (with some short facilities to show for it), and saw classrooms, workout room, the fire tower and other sights. We returned for a delicious barbecue lunch and discussed the image of law enforcement today and asked Everly questions.
In other business, we welcomed new member Logan Peters from Robb & Stucky and thanked our sponsors, LCEC, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, iPartner Media Flame Productions and Florida Southwestern University.

 
 

January Member Spotlight: Robin Griffiths

 

 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
ROBIN GRIFFITHS 

Robin has been with Gulf Coast Humane Society since 2014.  Her career began in Saudi Arabia  with Litton Corporation’s National Defense Program. By the mid 1980s she developed a taste for multimedia which included marketing and sales positions with several companies including Gannett Corporation, Waterman Broadcasting, WINK TV and a local publication company, Nautical Mile Media Group. In 2009 Robin developed her own media consulting business, RS Media Group, in which she worked with the marine and auto industry focusing on media buys and public relations.

Originally from Parsons, Kan., Robin grew up in Springfield, Mo.  Her 20-year career in multimedia has included working with many celebrities. She has modeled professionally, traveled extensively and has been involved in various charitable organizations. Her passion is writing and she is currently working on her first book. She enjoys all types of outdoor activities and still loves to travel.  

Robin and her husband live in Bokeelia with their two rescue dogs, Bo (Bocephus) and Ti (Tiberius).

What's new in digital branding and marketing?

2016 is here and so are new trends in digital branding and marketing. From mobile video advertising to online reputation management, marketers are once again adjusting and transforming strategies to keep up with recent changes. The following infographic shares the top 10 digital marketing trends we’ll see in 2016:

Source: www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/10_digital_branding_and_marketing_trends_to_watch_19830.aspx 

Crisis PR: A DO, a DON'T and protesters with dead fish pictures

When a dam burst in Brazil, causing a flood of wastewater to cascade out of an iron ore mine – resulting in 17 deaths and hundreds of leveled homes as well as the worst environmental disaster the country had ever seen – two public relations spokesmen illustrated the best and worst in crisis communication. The involved companies were BHP and Vale.

The former addressed the issue immediately. The latter didn’t, and cast blame on another company with which it was doing business.

The fallout from there involved protests by people who covered themselves in mud and carried pictures of dead fish.

Read the story from Insurance Journal here.