Mosquitoes are pests that can spread diseases when they bite you. While most people are just annoyed by the itchy bites of mosquitoes, it is important to consider the dangers that they can cause as they transmit diseases like malaria, West Nile virus and the Zika virus. Whether you are trying to enjoy time at home or traveling there are steps you can take to stop yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes. Apply Bug Spray When you are traveling or spending time in a heavily infested mosquito area, you may be wondering what mosquito repellent is the best. There are a variety of brands of mosquito repellent, but the key is to look at the different chemicals that they use. DEET is one of the most effective repellents and you should use at least 10% and up to 30% for kids. However, there are stronger formulas available. Picaridin is another effective option that can keep mosquitoes away for up to eight hours. Avoid Peak Mosquito Times and Areas Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. If you can avoid going out at this time of day, you may be able to avoid being bitten. If you can avoid areas where mosquitoes like to live and breed like marshy areas and swamps, you have a better chance of avoiding getting bitten. However, this is not always practical. Dress in Light Colors Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and dressing in lighter colors and white can help reduce the amount that you bitten. While this will not stop mosquitoes from biting you, it may reduce the chance of them finding you. It should be one of many steps that you take. Treat Your Yard Another option is to treat your yard for mosquitoes. A professional can apply a barrier spray that will knockdown any adult mosquitoes and prevent new ones from entering. Often the treatment will include treating any areas where mosquitoes may breed on your property. Avoid Drinking Beer Outside Mosquitoes are attracted to beer and people who have had a beer in the last hour. If you are out barbecuing, you may want to relax with a cold beer, but this is a signal for the mosquitoes to come and find you. You may want to wait to have your drink once the cooking is done and you are back inside. Plan Your Garden If you plan your garden so that you plant things like marigolds, lavender and geraniums around your patio seating or gazebos, you can work to naturally repel mosquitoes. This will help to reduce the number of mosquitoes that you see in the area, but it is not going to completely eliminate them. Other plants you can use include catnip, citronella and peppermint.
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In the United States, there are about 90 species of ticks. However, not all of these ticks are known carriers of diseases in humans. If you can correctly identify the ticks that bit you, you can watch for the symptoms of the diseases they carry. When you remove the tick, but it in a cotton ball with alcohol on it and put it in a zipper bag. Take this into your doctor, because it can help with the diagnosis.
The Blacklegged Tick According to the article “3 Ticks in Virginia and the Diseases They Cause” the female blacklegged tick has black legs with a reddish body and black head and legs. The adult male is brown with black legs. The blacklegged tick can transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis borrelia miyamotoi, Powassan disease and Lyme disease. The blacklegged tick carries the most diseases of any tick in the United States. While Lyme disease may be the most widely known, the other diseases can be just as serious if not treated. Lone Star Tick You can recognize the lone star tick by the white spot in the center of its back. The lone star tick is a carrier of heartland virus, ehrlichiosis and tularemia. It can also carry STARI which is southern tick-associated rash illness. People may also develop an allergy to meat after a bite from a lone star tick. American Dog Tick The American dog tick is brown with a pattern on its back. The American dog tick carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is the most prevalent in the southeastern part of the United States. This disease is identified by the distinct spotted rash on your ankles and feet. Pacific Coast Tick The Pacific coast tick has a speckled back with a pattern on them. They are more likely to bite in April and May. They spread Pacific Coast fever also known as 364D rickettsiosis. This is a relatively new disease. Many ticks will feed for several days. If you can find the tick within the first 24 hours, you often reduce the risk of contracting the disease. It is important to regularly check for ticks, especially if you have been in a heavily wooded area or another place that is prone to ticks. Dressing in long pants and sleeves and tucking in your shirt, and your pants to your socks can also reduce the chances of having a tick attach to you. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is just one of the tick-borne illnesses in the United States. Serious long-lasting complications, such as encephalitis, kidney failure, serious infections and even death, can occur if you do not treat it right away. Fortunately, there are antibiotics that are very effective at stopping these complications, but they are more effective the sooner that they are administered. Identifying the Type of Tick If you find a tick on you, it is important to remove it right away. If you are able to identify it, you may be able to determine if you are at greater risk of contracting Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The ticks that spread this are the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the brown dog tick. Once you have the tick, you can put it in a plastic bag or glass jar and use a magnifying class to check the pattern against pictures of different ticks. Symptoms to Watch After you have been bitten, it is important to keep an eye out for possible symptoms. These may show up within 5-10 days of being bitten.
The rash will begin as pink spots around the wrists and ankles. They are flat and may move up the forearms. After the first day, the rash will likely spread to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This rash is the most distinct sign that you have Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and you should immediately seek medical attention. Your doctor should be able to identify it and give you the correct medication for the disease. Identifying Your Risk Factors of Contracting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever There are several risk factors that may increase your chances of contracting Rocky Mountain spotted fever. One factor is where you live. Although you may assume that the majority of cases happen in or around the Rocky Mountains, you would be mistaken. According to the article “North Carolina and the Dangers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever”, the majority of cases occur in the southeastern United States, with a high number each year in North Carolina. Another risk factor is spending time where you may contract a tick. Ticks like high grasses, leaf litter and the woods or bushy areas. They will crawl up to the top of the grass or bush and wait for an animal to come by that they can attach to. The time of year you are spending outside can increase your likelihood of contracting a tick. Ticks are active from the spring to the late fall. The nymphs are more likely to bite in the spring. The ticks will hibernate in the winter, and you are less likely to be bitten. The final risk factor is how long the tick has been attached to you. If it is less than 24 hours, you are less likely to contract the disease. Simply checking for ticks when you come home from a high-risk area can help prevent you contracting it. Showering as soon as you get home can also prevent the tick from attaching. |
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April 2018
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