Preventing insect bites is important to avoid diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Measures include keeping homes insect-free, using flea and tick treatments for pets, eliminating standing water, wearing protective clothing, and using DEET insect repellent. Checking for ticks and seeking medical attention for severe bites is also recommended.
Preventing insect bites can be important, as insects are often vectors of disease. In particular, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus and some ticks are responsible for causing Lyme disease in humans. The Black Death of the Middle Ages was caused by flea bites that infested rats carrying the disease. Not all insect bites cause serious illness. In fact, most cause nothing but discomfort and itching. However, safety requires a focus on prevention to eliminate possible exposure to diseases of concern.
The first line of defense against insect bites is to make sure your home is free from insects. Windows should not be opened unless they are screened and screens should be in good repair. Even small tears in the screens can allow most small insects to enter, increasing the chances of being bitten. Screens that don’t fit properly can also allow for bugs to enter.
Dogs and cats should receive flea and tick treatments, which have come a long way since the first sprays and powders. Topical flea and oral flea and tick repellents are available at most veterinarians. These products may require an application once a month, but they will help prevent your pet from being riddled with insect bites and thus also protect the human inhabitants of the home. These products are considered safe to use around children and pets and are generally safe to hold and pet within a few hours after the application has dried.
Eliminating all areas around the house that could harbor mosquitoes can also reduce the chance of insect bites. Mosquitoes commonly breed in standing water. Homeowners often don’t realize they have standing water in their gardens. Look under plants and any outdoor shelves to make sure there is no standing water. If you have artificial ponds, you should introduce mosquito-eating fish to reduce the insect population.
Even with prevention, you will still encounter bugs both outside and inside your home. Insects such as mosquitoes are most often encountered just before sunrise and just after sunset. If possible, outdoor activities should be avoided during this time to reduce insect bites. If you plan activities during these times, and many do, as they are often the most pleasant times of summer days, then you should wear protective clothing. Thick shirts with long sleeves and long pants can help reduce mosquito bites.
Even thick clothing is often not enough to prevent insect bites. Some mosquitoes can pierce your clothes. In these cases, and for any outdoor activity, the use of DEET insect repellent is highly recommended. DEET is toxic and should be used with caution on young children. However, the risk often outweighs the benefits, as younger children are particularly prone to more severe cases of West Nile virus caused by insect bites.
Long, light-colored pants should be worn, as well as deep woods DEET when walking through heavy grass. People are more susceptible to insect bites from ticks both in tall grass and under trees. Ticks are often quite small and may not be noticed initially. It’s a good idea to check pant cuffs, socks, and any other loose clothing for ticks that may be biting. Also check the body for attached ticks. Attached ticks should be carefully removed and sent to a lab to rule out Lyme disease.
It’s impossible to prevent all bug bites, but following the recommendations above can reduce the number of bug bites you get. If you have bug bites that swell intensely or show pus, you should bring these bites to the attention of a doctor as they can indicate allergy or infection.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
