Ticks and mosquitoes can do more than just annoy you — they can also transmit harmful germs that lead to illnesses. To protect yourself, it’s essential to take preventive measures against tick- and mosquito-borne diseases.
Vector-borne diseases are increasingly prevalent in the United States, with ticks and mosquitoes being carriers of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause various illnesses. Some common examples of vector-borne diseases in the U.S. include Lyme disease, West Nile virus disease and Anaplasmosis.
Regardless of your location, mosquito and tick bites can occur anywhere, including your own backyard. Certain individuals face a higher risk of contracting these diseases due to their behaviors or geographic location, which exposes them to ticks and mosquitoes.
Additionally, specific groups, such as older adults and those with weakened immune systems, are more susceptible to severe forms of these diseases. Understanding your risk level can help you anticipate encounters with ticks and mosquitoes and take appropriate precautions.
Here are some crucial steps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended you take to fight the bite:
Before stepping out:
Apply EPA-registered insect repellent. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, when used as directed.
Wear loose-fitting, long clothing. Stop ticks and mosquitoes from biting by covering your skin with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Treat clothes and gear with permethrin. Products containing 0.5% permethrin, used in treating boots, clothing and gear, effectively kill and repel ticks and mosquitoes.
Avoid brushy areas. Ticks thrive in moist and humid environments, particularly in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas….
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