Fight the Bite: Steps you can take to prevent mosquito and tick-borne illnesses

As you head out the door to enjoy summer in the mountains you pack your keys, wallet, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water, but it is also recommended that you take the right precautions before going outdoors to prevent mosquito and tick bites. 

When the temperatures get higher, so does your chance of contracting a severe illness from mosquito and tick bites which can damper your summer plans. Warmer weather is the right environment for these disease-causing pests to reproduce quickly.  

However, you can still enjoy the outdoors safely by following these steps before you head out for some fun. 

Use mosquito and tick repellent 

• For mosquitos and ticks, find one that contains 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535. or lemon eucalyptus oil (note that eucalyptus is toxic to dogs and cats) and put it on exposed skin 
• Use caution when applying it to small children 

Keep mosquitos out of your yard and home 

• Mosquitos can breed in small amounts of water in a few days 
• Tip and toss any items that can collect standing water including buckets, old tires, toys, flowerpots, and more especially after rain 
• Check home window screens for any holes and repair and replace any faulty ones 

Wear protective clothing 

• Wear long pants tucked into your socks and long sleeves 
• Treat clothes with the insecticide permethrin or buy clothes that are pre-treated 

Avoid tick-infested areas 

• This includes locations with leaf litter, brush, and high grasses 

Clean up after being outdoors 

• Check your and your kids’ bodies for ticks and shower as soon as possible  
• Also check your pets for ticks 
• Wash with hot water and tumble-dry your clothes 
• Carefully remove attached ticks with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and wash with soap and water immediately. Call your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of a tick-borne illness which includes a rash, fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, or disorientation 

Also, look out for bats 

• Bats can be infected with rabies 
• If you find a bat it is recommended to get everyone out of the room, cabin, tent, and close the bat inside. If possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a lab for rabies testing. If the bat is positive for rabies, those who may have been exposed should consider getting the rabies post-exposure vaccine.  

If you have concerns about mosquitos in your neighborhood, contact Environmental Health at 828- 250-5016. For more information about mosquito-borne viruses contact the Disease Control Division of Buncombe County Department of Health at 828-250-5109.