The weather is warming up and everyone is eager to get outside! Unfortunately, spending time outdoors comes with the chance of encountering insects like mosquitos and ticks that are potentially harmful to humans. The Ohio Department of Health provides information on how to prevent diseases spread by insects so you can ensure you and your family are able to enjoy the outdoors.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitos are commonly found in all outdoor settings. There are 54 species of mosquito present in Ohio. Of these, only a handful can transmit diseases to humans. Mosquito-borne illnesses in Ohio include Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, La Crosse virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus.

Protect

  • Apply repellents on exposed skin that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), especially from dusk to dawn. EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • Wear clothing treated with permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for extra protection.
  • Use products according to label instructions to optimize safety and effectiveness.
  • Don’t spray repellents on the skin under your clothing.
  • During peak biting hours, wear light-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts or jackets, and long pants to protect against mosquito bites.
  • Consider avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure.

More information on Fighting the Bite from the Ohio Department of Health can be found here.

Ticks

Like mosquitos, ticks can carry a variety of diseases that are harmful to humans. There are many tick species present in Ohio but only three typically interact with humans: the American dog tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, and lone star tick. The most common diseases spread by ticks are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Protect

  • Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
  • Walk in the center of trails.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 labelled for use against ticks on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours. Always follow the product label. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes, and mouth.
  • Treat clothing and gear such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Always follow the product label. Pre-treated clothing is available and may provide longer lasting protection.
  • Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of your clothing. Light colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily

Click here for more information on protecting, checking and removal of ticks.