6 tips and tricks to stave off mosquitos and ticks this summer
By
Adriana Navarro, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Jul 26, 2021 5:54 PM EDT
Entomology experts are expecting a mosquito population explosion in June after weeks of rain across much of the south-central United States.
With summer underway in the Northern Hemisphere, hot weather isn't the only thing people need to be wary of this season.
Outdoor pests such as ticks and mosquitoes have been emerging with the warmer months, bringing with them not just annoying bites and itching, but also health concerns. While not all mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases some mosquitoes can spread viruses like West Nile or Zika and ticks can spread Lyme disease through their bites.
Here are a few tips and tricks to reduce your contact with them.
The best way to avoid a bite is to be aware of when and where you might encounter ticks and mosquitoes in their natural habitats.
While hiking in wooded areas, be aware and vigilant of the paths you take and the flora along that path. Stay in the middle of the trail and avoid tall grasses and shrubs to lessen the chances of a tick latching on. Did you know that they don’t fly or jump -- they quest!
In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick, rests on a plant. (CDC via AP, File)
While ticks' are commonly found in forested areas, mosquitoes typically make their home near standing water. Pair that environment with warm, humid weather around dusk or dawn, and you're all the more likely to encounter a scourge or a group of mosquitoes.
Now that you know the places these bugs like to live, you can make sure your home doesn’t become one of them.
To help prevent mosquitoes at home, make sure there isn't any standing water around for extended periods of time. This applies to birdbaths, dog bowls, plant pots, and buckets that may collect rainwater -- even containers as small as a bottlecap can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. It is recommended to dump any collected water at least twice a week.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) also suggests water features that provide a steep slope or have vertical walls that quickly drop off into deeper water can also be less favorable to mosquitoes. An added waterfall or fountain can also help keep the water moving along which would make it a less-than-ideal choice for mosquitoes.
Being aware of where ticks can be in your backyard is also a good way to keep them from coming inside with you. Ticks can be found in gardens, wood piles, birdfeeders and even high grasses.
As for the integrity of the home, keeping the gutters clear and clean can prevent nesting opportunities for insects.
Lastly, be mindful of leaving the windows open, especially if screens have not been installed to keep pests out.
In this Sept. 8, 2010, file photo, a mosquito is held up for inspection at a research institute in Portland, Maine. Officials said that dry conditions across Maine and the region during the summer of 2020 led to a dramatic drop in biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
Checking the weather before heading outside can often provide insight into what to prepare for in terms of insects. Hot, humid days in particular are prime mosquito weather.
"Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid weather and rainy climates because they need water to breed," said Tom Mascari, a bug expert and entomologist at SCJohnson. Since hurricane season is accompanied by heavy rainfall in the warmer, southern states, there can often be a spike in mosquito populations following rainfalls.
Ticks also are drawn to warmer and humid weather, particularly in late spring and early summer, but they can live in most weather if it’s above freezing, meaning that warmer winters may lead to larger tick populations in the summer that follows.
AccuWeather's long-range forecasters believe that while thunderstorms will frequently rumble across the Northeast, Ohio Valley and Midwest, the last half of summer could see a dry spell.
Similarly, SCJohnson has partnered with AccuWeather, the most accurate weather source, to launch a first-of-its-kind Pest Index. This new tool, created by AccuWeather and developed for a seasonal activation with SCJohnson, can help families plan for times – such as backyard barbecues or trips to the park – when common pests may be present.
Ticks also are drawn to warmer and humid weather, particularly in late spring and early summer, but they can live in most weather if it’s above freezing, meaning that warmer winters may lead to larger tick populations in the summer that follows. Wetter weather can also favor an increase in the tick population, and parts of the Northeast, where ticks can be abundant, experienced a wetter July than normal.
To be better prepared for outdoor pests in your area before heading out for the day, check your local AccuWeather SCJohnson Outdoor Pest Activity Forecast. The Index can tell you if the predicted likelihood of pests, like ants, is low, moderate or high, helping you to plan your protection accordingly.
Dressing appropriately for going out into an area that may have ticks is not always synonymous with dressing fashionably. However, it could help prevent those annoying bites.
It's recommended to wear breathable garments that are neutral colors, like beige or light grey. Long-sleeve shirts long pants and wearing a hat are ideal – and tucking the pant legs into your socks can keep ticks from getting under your clothing.
There are a variety of different repellents to choose from with different active ingredients to meet your needs and preferences.
The most popular active ingredients in personal, skin-applied insect repellents are DEET and picaridin. DEET was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1946 for use of U.S. Army personnel in mosquito-infested areas. Made available for consumer use since 1957, DEET is now the most commonly used active ingredient in personal insect repellents.
Additionally, picaridin is a synthetic compound similar to one of the natural substances found in black pepper. Like DEET, its use has been approved by regulatory bodies around the world and deemed effective when used according to label instructions. DEET, picaridin and other active ingredients work by forming a vapor barrier on the skin’s surface which helps to repel insects and keep them from biting the skin.
SC Johnson's OFF!® personal insect repellents offer products that use both DEET or picaridin for protection from mosquitoes. There is also a DEET-free, plant-based repellent option, called Botanicals®.
In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District biologist Nadja Reissen examines a mosquito in Salt Lake City. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has no data to suggest the coronavirus is spread by either mosquitoes or ticks. COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. And the World Health Organization says a mosquito bite won't give you the virus. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Whether you're returning from a hike or just a walk through the woods, it's advised to immediately check yourself, your gear and any pets you brought along the way for ticks. A thorough check includes:
-
Around the hairline
-
In and behind the ears
-
Under arms and between the legs
-
Knees and ankles
If you spot a tick, it will have to be carefully removed. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to gently grasp the tick as close to where it is attached to the skin as possible.
Don't twist or sharply pull the tick, as this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. Instead, pull upward with steady, even pressure. Additionally, try to avoid squeezing or puncturing the body of the tick while removing.
The fingertips can be used to remove a tick if no tweezers are available, but it is recommended to use rubber gloves or tissue paper to grasp the tick.
After removal, wash the bite and your hands with soap and water, and apply a disinfectant or an antibiotic ointment to the bite area.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier, Spectrum, FuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Health
6 tips and tricks to stave off mosquitos and ticks this summer
By Adriana Navarro, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Jul 26, 2021 5:54 PM EDT
Entomology experts are expecting a mosquito population explosion in June after weeks of rain across much of the south-central United States.
With summer underway in the Northern Hemisphere, hot weather isn't the only thing people need to be wary of this season.
Outdoor pests such as ticks and mosquitoes have been emerging with the warmer months, bringing with them not just annoying bites and itching, but also health concerns. While not all mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases some mosquitoes can spread viruses like West Nile or Zika and ticks can spread Lyme disease through their bites.
Here are a few tips and tricks to reduce your contact with them.
1. Know where to find them
The best way to avoid a bite is to be aware of when and where you might encounter ticks and mosquitoes in their natural habitats.
While hiking in wooded areas, be aware and vigilant of the paths you take and the flora along that path. Stay in the middle of the trail and avoid tall grasses and shrubs to lessen the chances of a tick latching on. Did you know that they don’t fly or jump -- they quest!
In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick, rests on a plant. (CDC via AP, File)
While ticks' are commonly found in forested areas, mosquitoes typically make their home near standing water. Pair that environment with warm, humid weather around dusk or dawn, and you're all the more likely to encounter a scourge or a group of mosquitoes.
2. Be a bad host
Now that you know the places these bugs like to live, you can make sure your home doesn’t become one of them.
To help prevent mosquitoes at home, make sure there isn't any standing water around for extended periods of time. This applies to birdbaths, dog bowls, plant pots, and buckets that may collect rainwater -- even containers as small as a bottlecap can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. It is recommended to dump any collected water at least twice a week.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) also suggests water features that provide a steep slope or have vertical walls that quickly drop off into deeper water can also be less favorable to mosquitoes. An added waterfall or fountain can also help keep the water moving along which would make it a less-than-ideal choice for mosquitoes.
Being aware of where ticks can be in your backyard is also a good way to keep them from coming inside with you. Ticks can be found in gardens, wood piles, birdfeeders and even high grasses.
As for the integrity of the home, keeping the gutters clear and clean can prevent nesting opportunities for insects.
Lastly, be mindful of leaving the windows open, especially if screens have not been installed to keep pests out.
3. Check the weather
In this Sept. 8, 2010, file photo, a mosquito is held up for inspection at a research institute in Portland, Maine. Officials said that dry conditions across Maine and the region during the summer of 2020 led to a dramatic drop in biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
Checking the weather before heading outside can often provide insight into what to prepare for in terms of insects. Hot, humid days in particular are prime mosquito weather.
"Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid weather and rainy climates because they need water to breed," said Tom Mascari, a bug expert and entomologist at SCJohnson. Since hurricane season is accompanied by heavy rainfall in the warmer, southern states, there can often be a spike in mosquito populations following rainfalls.
Ticks also are drawn to warmer and humid weather, particularly in late spring and early summer, but they can live in most weather if it’s above freezing, meaning that warmer winters may lead to larger tick populations in the summer that follows.
AccuWeather's long-range forecasters believe that while thunderstorms will frequently rumble across the Northeast, Ohio Valley and Midwest, the last half of summer could see a dry spell.
Similarly, SCJohnson has partnered with AccuWeather, the most accurate weather source, to launch a first-of-its-kind Pest Index. This new tool, created by AccuWeather and developed for a seasonal activation with SCJohnson, can help families plan for times – such as backyard barbecues or trips to the park – when common pests may be present.
Ticks also are drawn to warmer and humid weather, particularly in late spring and early summer, but they can live in most weather if it’s above freezing, meaning that warmer winters may lead to larger tick populations in the summer that follows. Wetter weather can also favor an increase in the tick population, and parts of the Northeast, where ticks can be abundant, experienced a wetter July than normal.
To be better prepared for outdoor pests in your area before heading out for the day, check your local AccuWeather SCJohnson Outdoor Pest Activity Forecast. The Index can tell you if the predicted likelihood of pests, like ants, is low, moderate or high, helping you to plan your protection accordingly.
4. Dress appropriately
Dressing appropriately for going out into an area that may have ticks is not always synonymous with dressing fashionably. However, it could help prevent those annoying bites.
It's recommended to wear breathable garments that are neutral colors, like beige or light grey. Long-sleeve shirts long pants and wearing a hat are ideal – and tucking the pant legs into your socks can keep ticks from getting under your clothing.
5. Find a repellent
There are a variety of different repellents to choose from with different active ingredients to meet your needs and preferences.
The most popular active ingredients in personal, skin-applied insect repellents are DEET and picaridin. DEET was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1946 for use of U.S. Army personnel in mosquito-infested areas. Made available for consumer use since 1957, DEET is now the most commonly used active ingredient in personal insect repellents.
Additionally, picaridin is a synthetic compound similar to one of the natural substances found in black pepper. Like DEET, its use has been approved by regulatory bodies around the world and deemed effective when used according to label instructions. DEET, picaridin and other active ingredients work by forming a vapor barrier on the skin’s surface which helps to repel insects and keep them from biting the skin.
SC Johnson's OFF!® personal insect repellents offer products that use both DEET or picaridin for protection from mosquitoes. There is also a DEET-free, plant-based repellent option, called Botanicals®.
6. Know the first aid you may need
In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District biologist Nadja Reissen examines a mosquito in Salt Lake City. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has no data to suggest the coronavirus is spread by either mosquitoes or ticks. COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. And the World Health Organization says a mosquito bite won't give you the virus. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Whether you're returning from a hike or just a walk through the woods, it's advised to immediately check yourself, your gear and any pets you brought along the way for ticks. A thorough check includes:
Around the hairline
In and behind the ears
Under arms and between the legs
Knees and ankles
If you spot a tick, it will have to be carefully removed. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to gently grasp the tick as close to where it is attached to the skin as possible.
Don't twist or sharply pull the tick, as this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. Instead, pull upward with steady, even pressure. Additionally, try to avoid squeezing or puncturing the body of the tick while removing.
The fingertips can be used to remove a tick if no tweezers are available, but it is recommended to use rubber gloves or tissue paper to grasp the tick.
After removal, wash the bite and your hands with soap and water, and apply a disinfectant or an antibiotic ointment to the bite area.
In other news:
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier, Spectrum, FuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo