“I thought that I was ready for summer…until all the bugs came out from the 7th layer of Hell. Now, I’m not so sure,” Kayla Flowers jokes, as she rolls up the car window to save herself from a particularly large bug. She’s right: Most everyone was excited for the warm temperatures and clear skies to appear without any thought to the annual struggle against bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Insects that come out in the summer can cause infections, disease, or may just be plain irritating but can be prevented or treated with these easy tips.
While everybody has been bitten by a mosquito before, the majority have not experienced the illnesses that mosquitoes can transmit: West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, malaria and dengue fever. High mosquito populations can be brought down by getting rid of standing water and using mosquito rings for ponds. Make sure to dump old water and replenish birdbaths and outdoor pet water dishes at least twice weekly! While you’re outside, make sure to dress in light-colored clothes and cover as much skin as possible. Always use insect repellent on exposed skin and thin clothing and reapply every hour.
Most tick bites occur in May and June and because ticks don’t transmit disease until they’ve been attached and feeding for at least 24 hours, the best way to avoid tick transmitted diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever is to find and remove ticks early. Ticks love to live in wooded areas with lots of tall grass, so try to wear long pants tucked into socks and keep your hair in a hat before using insect repellent when you go outside. Before you go back home, make sure to check your clothing, skin and hair for ticks to avoid bringing them into your vehicle or your house.
Fleas, though only the size of a grain of rice, can quickly infest an entire household. If you have dogs or cats at home, make sure to apply tick and flea treatments to your animals to help prevent fleas. Tick and flea treatments start at only 99 cents but can become very expensive. They can be found in the forms of powders, collars, liquids, and many other options. Keep in mind that treatments meant for dogs are often toxic to cats and vice versa. Another preventative step is to maintain a clean household–vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Don’t forget to clean places where your pet sleeps like a pet bed, and make sure to keep your lawn mowed if your animal plays outside. If you know you might be coming in contact with flea-infested areas, sprays and treatment can be found at your local pet store to prevent fleas hitching a ride home. Tuck your pants into your socks to avoid the issue of itchy bites.
Overall, insects may play a major role in the food chain but are definitely a nuisance during the summer months. Taking the above measures could help prevent the tiny irritants from “bugging” you – or even save your life.