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What can you do to protect yourself from mosquito, tick and flea bites?

Most of the good people who live in the Northeast U.S. are familiar with growing threat of deer ticks. With temperatures warming across the United States we are entering another season of increased tick, mosquito and flea activity.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) illnesses from ticks, mosquito and flea bites have tripled over the past thirteen years from 2004 to 2016. Some of these illnesses include:

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Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing in the US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Lyme
  • West Nile
  • Zika
  • Chikungunya

According to the CDC, in 2016 the most common tickborne diseases in the U.S. were lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. The most common mosquito-borne viruses were West Nile, Dengue, and Zika. In rare cases, Plague was the most common disease resulting from the bite of an infected flea. These pests are wide spread and difficult to control, and their influence is expanding. It is difficult to quantify the true cost of this increase since many infections from these insects go unreported or unnoticed.

What can you do to protect yourself from mosquito, tick and flea bites?

  • Stay educated about flea, tick and mosquito activity in your community.
  • Use insect repellent.
  • Cover exposed skin with hats, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.e
  • Purchase treated clothing and gear or treat your own clothing, boots and gear with permethrin.
  • Take measures and stay current with flea and tick control on pets.
  • Use a tick puller to safely remove ticks from pets.
  • If sleeping outdoors use a mosquito net.
  • Take steps to control mosquitos, ticks and fleas outside your home. Seek out areas of standing water and turn over and scrub out.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention