This time of year, it’s hard to avoid pesky insect bites. Whether
you’re going for a hike in the woods or relaxing in your own backyard,
mosquitoes and ticks are everywhere. While your kids are having fun playing
outdoors for all hours of the day, you may be worrying about them coming
home covered in bug bites. You can’t always prevent bites, but there
are steps you can take to try and avoid them, as well as ways to treat
Where They Hide
Unfortunately, mosquitoes can live in
almost any environment that isn’t extremely cold. Forests, marshes, tall grasses, and weeds
are some of their favorite areas. There are
two types of mosquitoes: permanent water mosquitoes and floodwater mosquitoes. Permanent water
mosquitoes lay their eggs in clumps of 50 to 300
near lakes or ponds. Some species prefer clean water, while others, like the
northern house mosquito, prefer polluted water. Floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in
moist soil. Their
likely habitats include drainage ditches, woodland pools, floodplains, pastures, fields,
Ticks are most active when the
weather is warm, especially during the afternoon when it’s hotter and dryer. Many people
make the mistake of assuming ticks only live in the woods, but they can also infiltrate your backyard, patio, playground equipment,
or any other outdoor area around your home. If you can, position these
areas away from
shrubs, bushes, or other vegetation.
How to Prevent Bites
In addition to being painful and irritating, mosquito and tick bites can
also lead to serious disease. Ticks can spread
Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes can spread the
West Nile virus, malaria, and the Zika virus.
To prevent bites before they become an issue, use an
effective insect repellent. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends checking the label for one of the
- IR 3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus
If you’re using repellent on a child, use a product with
30% or less of these ingredients. Use the repellent whenever you’re outdoors,
and put a few bottles of it somewhere that might come in handy, such as
in your car or by the door.
To avoid tick bites, consider using
tick control chemicals in your yard, which can be applied by a professional pest control expert.
After being outside, check for ticks on yourself, your kids, or your pets.
most likely to hide under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind
the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and in the hair. Bathing
right after you get inside can also help you to find ticks quickly and
How to Treat a Mosquito Bite
Although it’s best to try to avoid bug bites altogether, that’s
not always possible. If you suffer a mosquito bite, here are some
steps you can take to treat it:
- Clean the bite with warm, soapy water
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling
- Take an antihistamine to relieve itchiness
- Avoid scratching to reduce the risk of infection
If none of these traditional treatments work for you, it may be time to try a
home remedy. Toothpaste is one of the most popular home remedies, as the menthol flavor
of the toothpaste helps to soothe the bite. Natural antibiotics in honey
help to reduce swelling, while aloe vera is a natural antiseptic agent
and helps to reduce the pain, swelling, and itching. Other popular home
remedies include a banana peel, vapor rub, and ice.
Removing a Tick and Treating a Tick Bite
If you find a tick on yourself or a loved one, don’t panic—just
simple instructions to remove and treat it quickly:
- Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward, don’t twist or jerk the tick.
After successfully removing it, clean the area that was bitten and
your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
- If the tick is alive, submerse it in alcohol, place it in a sealed bag,
wrap it tightly in tape, or flush it down the toilet. Never crush it with
When to See a Doctor
As long as the tick is removed within
24 hours, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get Lyme disease. Symptoms
of Lyme disease include a rash and fever. If you start to feel aches and
pains or experience chills, this could be a sign of a tick-borne illness.
See your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Fever, fatigue, and headaches are the most common symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses. Symptoms of
West Nile virus include back pain, nausea, and body aches. People suffering
from malaria typically experience chills, uneasiness, and sweating even
though the body temperature is falling. Visit a doctor if you experience
any of these symptoms, especially if you
travel somewhere where mosquitoes are common.
Mosquitoes and ticks are everywhere during the summer months, so take the
proper steps to ensure you and your family avoid getting bit! Learn more about
mosquitoes here, or contact your primary care provider if you believe you have a bite
that requires medical attention.