How To Avoid Ticks, Mosquitoes In Ohio

Summer is peak season for tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is warning residents to take precautions to limit their exposure to the potentially dangerous bites of these insects.

“If you’re going to be spending time outside, you need to be thinking about prevention and protection,” said ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton. “Taking simple precautions can prevent potentially serious diseases caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes.”

So far, this year, ticks have been more potent a threat to Ohioans. There have been 104 documented cases of Lyme Disease in Ohio, 11 cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and six cases of Ehrlichiosis — all believed to be caused by exposure to ticks.

Two mosquitoes in Ohio have tested positive for West Nile Virus this year. Those mosquitoes were collected by health agencies throughout the state. So far, there have been no documented cases of an Ohio resident, or domesticated animal, becoming sick with West Nile.

The Ohio Department of Health recommends residents follow simple steps to make themselves less attractive to insects. Here's how to limit exposure to mosquitoes.

• Wear light-colored clothes, socks, long sleeves and long pants when going outdoors (even if it is hot).
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents when going outdoors. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Consider spraying your clothes with the repellent, since mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing.
• Try to avoid peak mosquito biting hours
• "Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks, and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing or gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin," the ODH said.

Here's how to limit exposure to ticks:

• Don't go far off trail. Try to avoid tall grass, brush and leaf litter. Walk in the middle of trails.
• Use EPA-registered repellents. Follow label instructions.
• "Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin," ODH said.
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks. Tuck your pants legs into your socks.
• Wear light colors so you can more easily spot ticks.

If you do get attacked by a tick, use tweezers to grasp the insect and steadily pull it away from the skin. Be careful not to twist or jerk the insect, the ODH said, because you don't want to dislodge the insect's mouth parts in the skin. If the mouth parts separate from the rest of the tick, try to remove the parts using the tweezers. If you can't get the parts out, leave them alone and try to let the skin heal.

Do not use folk remedies to try and remove the tick — that means no matches, jelly or nail polish.

If you find a live tick in your house, flush it down the toilet, drop it in alcohol or put it in a sealed bag wrapped with tape. Don't crush the tick with your fingers.

“Diseases spread by ticks are an increasing concern in Ohio,” said Acton. “The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent tick bites by taking simple precautions at home and when working or playing in wooded or brushy areas from early spring to late fall.”