Ticks and Mosquitoes: Don’t Get Bugged!

By Middlesex-London Health Unit

Spending lots of time outdoors means you’ll see a variety of bugs. Most are harmless, but some bite, cause pain and itchiness, and may transmit disease. Certain mosquitoes can pass on West Nile Virus and blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) can transmit Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Public Health professionals conduct tick and mosquito surveillance and work with municipalities and property owners to control mosquito populations. Take these steps to reduce the risk for your family.

Mosquitoes:

Minimize your time outdoors at the beginning and end of day.
Wear loose-fitting, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Tuck pant legs into your socks. Choose light colours which are less attractive to insects. Consider using mosquito netting.
Dump the standing water that collects in toys, empty flowerpots or construction materials. Change water for birds or pets a few times a week.
Keep trees, plants and bushes trimmed to decrease the places where adult mosquitoes hide.
Ensure window and door screens are in good repair.

Ticks:

Ticks live along trails, in long grass, in the woods and in your backyard.
After being outdoors, check everyone for ticks, including pets. Check the groin, scalp, and armpits. Tip: Put clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill unattached ticks.
Do another ‘tick check’ when you bathe or shower at night.
If you find a tick, use tweezers to grab the tick as close to its head as possible and pull the tick upward and away from the body with steady pressure. Clean the area with soap and water and wash your hands. Submit your tick for identification to www.etick.ca or to the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Removal within 24 hours can stop Lyme disease from being transmitted.

Health Canada provides a list of which insect repellents are approved for use in Canada because they are safe and effective. Follow package directions for how often to reapply, and always avoid eyes, mouth and hands. Thoroughly wash hands and exposed skin upon returning indoors. It is not safe to use insect repellent on infants under six months. Instead, protect little ones by using mosquito netting over the stroller and supervising for safety.

Want to know more? https://www.healthunit.com/vector-borne-diseases

Middlesex-London Health Unit