Shield Yourself from Mosquitoes and Ticks

Summer fun shouldn’t come with unwelcome guests. Mosquitoes and ticks can turn a relaxing afternoon into an itchy nightmare, and worse, they can carry diseases. But fear not. Following a few simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of bites and keep your yard a pest-free zone.

Battling the Bite:

• Repellent is Your Ally: Choose an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Look for active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535. Higher percentages generally provide longer protection. Always follow label instructions carefully. Some repellents are not suitable for young children.

• Dress for Defense: Cover up exposed skin with long, loose-fitting clothing. Opt for light colors, as ticks are easier to spot on them. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks to create a barrier.

• Treat Fabrics: Consider treating your clothes with permethrin, a safe and effective insect repellent that bonds to fabrics and kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact. Important: Permethrin is for use on fabrics only, not directly on the skin.

• Time Your Adventures: Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. If you can, plan hikes and outdoor activities for the middle of the day.

Protecting Your Home Turf:

• Eliminate Hideouts: Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds around your home by getting rid of any standing water. This includes emptying birdbaths, wading pools, clogged gutters, and anything else that can collect rainwater.

•Trim the Hedges: Keep your lawn mowed and trim back overgrown shrubs and trees. Ticks love to hide in tall grass and leaf litter.

•Create a Barrier: Plant a barrier of mosquito-repellent plants around your property. Options include citronella, lemongrass, catnip, and lavender. While the effectiveness of these plants is debated, they may provide some additional defense.

•Think Screens: Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep unwanted visitors out.

Bonus Tip! Don’t forget about your furry friends! Talk to your veterinarian about tick and mosquito prevention for your pets.

Following these tips can significantly reduce your risk of mosquito and tick bites. Remember, a little prevention goes a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable time outdoors.

Submitted by Mitchell Housewright