Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer, whether that’s hiking, swimming, gardening or gathering with friends and family. It’s also the time of year when ticks and mosquitoes become most active.
These bugs are more than just seasonal annoyances. They can carry serious diseases that affect both people and pets.
In Iowa ticks can spread illnesses, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Mosquitoes are known for carrying West Nile virus, which appears in our state every summer and can occasionally lead to severe illness.
Ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas, brush, tall grass, and leaf litter, while mosquitoes can be anywhere but lay their eggs in or near standing water.
To protect yourself, wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot when you’re in tick-heavy areas. Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin and outer clothing, and stay on cleared trails when possible.
Around the home, reduce mosquito breeding areas by emptying standing water from buckets, flowerpots and other containers. Protect pets with tick-preventatives from a vet, and check pets’ fur and paws carefully after being outdoors.
Once back inside, dry all clothing and gear (e.g., from camping) on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
If you find a tick attached to your skin after a full-body check, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping it close to the skin and pulling upward steadily. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or wrapping it tightly in tape before throwing it away.
Clean the area with soap and water, and watch for symptoms, such as a bullseye rash, fever, fatigue or unusual behavior in pets.
Learn more about tick bites from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Natalie Del Vecchio is the community health educator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.