By Paige Frey, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Putnam County Primary Care

It’s that time of year again when most of us are headed outside for some adventures and fresh air, but there are a few insects we should be prepared for. The prevalence of ticks and mosquitoes increases dramatically in our spring climate, and they pose health risks and act as nuisances to our outdoor activities. 

Ticks are most common in tall grasses and wooded areas; we have several types, including the deer tick, dog tick, and even the lone star tick, in some areas of Ohio. Many diseases are transmitted through ticks, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, and several bacterial and parasitic infections. Mosquitoes also love our warm and damp climate in the spring and summer, and tend to multiply in woods and yards that are wet or have a standing water source. 

In addition to their annoying buzzing and itchy bites, they also transmit unwanted illnesses, such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, to name a few. These illnesses can lead to fevers, headaches, joint pain, rashes, birth defects, neurological changes, and even death. 

Despite these scary health risks, there are plenty of ways we can keep ourselves and children safe when venturing outdoors. Around your yard, you can keep grass mowed short, try to eliminate standing water if possible, use screens (screened-in patios, screen tents over kids’ play areas or strollers/baby seats), and treat your lawn with repellents. 

Protective clothing can also be helpful, especially if hunting, hiking, or navigating the woods, including tucking your pants into your socks, wearing long sleeves and pants, or even mosquito head nets from dusk to dawn. 

Finally, repellents such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or a natural oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, or lavender oil are very helpful in preventing bites. DEET (up to 30%) is safe for those over 2 months of age, but it is generally recommended to use sparingly and bathe at the end of the day. Natural Repellents are becoming more common, but must be typically applied more frequently and are less effective.

Hopefully, everyone can enjoy the warmer weather outside while remembering to take appropriate action against mosquito and tick exposure to keep themselves and their families safe.