Mosquitoes and ticks are pesky pests, and they are out in full force this time of year. And their bites are just annoying, they can be very dangerous and spread disease. In today’s article, we’re going to cover some our best tips for mosquito and tick bite prevention to keep you safe this summer and beyond.
Use EPA-registered insect repellent.
One of the best things you can do for mosquito and tick bite prevention is simply to wear insect repellent. While there are a lot of different options out there, you want to use one that has DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone, which have the best chance of repelling bugs while still being safe.
Wear loose-fitting long clothing.
Keeping your skin covered with long-sleeved shirts and long pants is another great tip for mosquito and tick bite prevention.
Treat clothes with permethrin.
Using O.5% permethrin to treat clothing and things like boots, pants, socks, and tents can be another preventative measure for preventing bites from mosquitoes and ticks, especially is you go camping or hiking often. Using this will keep your clothing protected through several washings.
Know where to look for ticks.
Ticks are more common in grassy, bushy, or wooded areas. Avoiding these areas, whether near your home or out in a nature trail or park, is a simple way to prevent tick bites.
Prevent ticks in your pets.
If you have pets, especially dogs, they can be very susceptible to tick bites, which can increase your risk of a tick bite. Work with your veterinarian on a safe treatment to prevent ticks and check your animals for ticks frequently.