WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you are likely to encounter biting bugs.
Most bug bites are harmless, but some mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases. Mosquitoes and ticks can spread germs that cause diseases like West Nile virus disease and Lyme disease.
You can “Fight the Bite” and learn how to protect yourself and family members from mosquito and tick bites.
Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes are small, flying insects known as vectors (living things that carry diseases between animals and humans). Vectors often carry infections through blood. Mosquitoes spread disease through their bites.
When a mosquito bites, it not only sucks blood but secretes saliva. This saliva enters your blood. If a mosquito has fed off a person or animal with a disease, it can pass the infection on when it bites.
Mosquitoes can carry viruses that cause certain diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue fever and some types of encephalitis that occur in the United States. Other diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, are far more common in tropical areas of the world.
“Mosquitos bite during both day and night, and they can live indoors for periods of time,” said Lt. Col. Dan Anderson, AFMC Command Public Health Officer. He provides the following tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- Remove mosquito habitats
“Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so drain any standing water on your property and empty anything that collects water,” advises Anderson. Individuals should:
- Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, buckets, plastic covers, and garbage cans.
- Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, rain barrels, wading pools, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
- Drain or fill temporary pools of water on the ground with dirt.
- Wear protective clothes
"A mosquito’s first choice for biting is to target bare, unprotected skin,” states Anderson. Wearing clothing such as loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants creates a physical barrier that makes it less likely you’ll be bitten.
3. Close windows and doors
“Keep windows and doors closed or make sure window and door screens are without tears and in good working order,” says Anderson.
- Stay indoors during highest point of mosquito activity
“While different types of mosquitoes are active at varying times, overall mosquitoes are most likely to be out at dusk and dawn, so plan activities accordingly,” says Anderson.
- Use insect repellent
“When used as directed, insect repellent is the best wat to protect yourself from mosquito bites when you’re outside for extended periods of time,” states Anderson. When choosing insect repellent to apply to your skin, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Para-menthane-diol
- 2-undecanone
Always follow product label instructions. Don’t spray repellant on skin that is covered by clothing. Don’t spray or pump repellent directly onto your face. Instead, spray your hands and then spread the repellent carefully on your face while avoiding your eyes and mouth. If you’re also wearing sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
Comprehensive information on mosquito bite prevention can be found at CDC.gov.
Tick Bites
Ticks are parasites that feed on hosts by biting them. A tick bite can infect humans and animals with bacteria, viruses and protozoans that can cause diseases. Some of these conditions can be very serious and may include Lyme disease, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Ticks are most often found in areas with grasses, shrubs, logs, or fallen leaves, especially along trails. Ticks may also be found in picnic or recreation areas.
Ticks wait on vegetation, fallen logs, large rocks, and sometimes wooden park benches for an animal or person to brush against them. The ticks then climb on to feed.
You can reduce your risk of getting a tick-borne disease by protecting yourself from tick bites.
If planning an outdoor activity, especially in a heavily wooded or brushy area, Anderson recommends a few precautions to protect yourself from tick bites.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to cover your skin. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks. Tuck your pants into your socks, shoes or boots so that ticks cannot easily get under your pant legs. Wear a hat to protect your scalp.
- Apply insect repellent with at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing.
- Treat clothing, shoes, and gear with 0.5% permethrin or purchase gear that is pre-treated. It kills ticks on contact.
While in areas where ticks live, Anderson recommends:
- Walk in the middle of trails and avoid brushing against tall grasses and shrubs on the sides of trails, if possible.
- Avoid beach dunes and areas with tall grass.
- Avoid leaf litter and areas with a lot of brush.
- At home, mow your lawn regularly.
When returning from the outdoors, Anderson advises to remove your shoes outside to prevent bringing ticks into the house that may be attached to the shoes. Check your clothes and gear for ticks and wash these items immediately. Placing them in a hot clothes dryer for 10 minutes will kill the ticks.
After checking your clothes for ticks, Anderson recommends showering as soon as possible. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check. They may be attached anywhere. Ticks gravitate towards warm, moist areas, so be sure to check:
- Belly button
- Underarms
- Groin
- Around the waist
- Behind the knees
- Behind the ears
- Back of neck
- In and around the hair line
For instructions on how to remove a tick, click Tick removal.
Comprehensive information on preventing tick bites can be found at CDC.gov.