As the warm weather returns, safeguard your health by preventing tick and mosquito bites. These small, yet potentially dangerous creatures are more than a nuisance. They can cause serious illnesses that can affect people of all ages.
The Dangers of Tick and Mosquito Bites
The Livingston County Health Department monitors ticks and mosquitoes in coordination with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Data is collected to detect and prepare for emerging threats. Ticks and mosquitoes can spread diseases such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and more. Each year, thousands of cases are reported across the United States. If left untreated, these illnesses can lead to serious health complications.
Tick-borne Illnesses
Livingston County is an area with a known risk of Lyme disease. Ticks can also carry diseases like Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and anaplasmosis. Some tick bites can even cause Alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy.
Mosquito-borne Illnesses
Mosquitoes in Michigan may carry viruses like West Nile virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). These can be passed to people or animals through a bite from an infected mosquito.
Prevention
Everyone should take steps to protect themselves from tick and mosquito bites. People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities are at greater risk. To minimize the risk of bites and illness, take the following precautions:
1. Use insect repellent. Apply a repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions for safe and effective use. To find a repellent that is right for you, use the EPA’s search tool.
2. Wear protective clothing. When in wooded or grassy areas, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Light-colored clothing is preferable as it makes it easier to spot ticks.
3. Check for ticks. After spending time outdoors, check your body, pets, and gear for ticks. Pay special attention to hidden areas like underarms, behind the ears, and the backs of knees. If you find an attached tick, submit a photo to LCHD to determine if you may have been exposed to Lyme disease or other illnesses.
4. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Empty items like buckets, bird baths, and flowerpots to reduce mosquito populations.
5. Create a tick-safe zone. Maintain your yard by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter. You can also create a three-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas.
6. Keep mosquitoes outdoors. Maintain your home’s window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
For more information, visit milivcounty.gov/environmental-health/pest-control or call (517) 546-9858.
