It’s that time of year to soak up sunshine by the pool, barbecue with friends and family, and roast marshmallows by a fire. However, with summer fun there are summer safety concerns. One of those concerns is those pesky critters that seem to bug us. Mosquitoes are the main buzz killers during summer months, but they don’t have to drain all the fun out of having a fabulous summer.
Mosquitoes are not typically on the minds of people until they wake up in the morning with a bump on their leg that will not stop itching. Jennifer Frazier, a Registered Sanitarian who has been with the Richland County Health Department for 12 and a half years, shared helpful suggestions on how to maintain safety with mosquitoes.
The easiest way to manage mosquito safety is by applying insect repellent. Frazier suggested, “In order to get the full effect, make sure to use a spray that has at least 20% DEET.” Repellant is especially beneficial to prevent the transmission of the West Nile virus. Frazier said, “There was at least one confirmed case of West Nile virus in Richland County last year.” Frazier commented on how the virus is transmitted, “It starts out with a mosquito biting a bird. The mosquito becomes infected and then if the infected mosquito bites a human, it is passed along in the vicious cycle.”
Wearing proper clothing helps with preventing mosquitoes, too. Frazier said, “Wear clothing that will cover a great deal of your body, like long pants and long shirts.” Another helpful hint to be aware of is watching out for standing water because it creates a high breeding ground for mosquitoes. Not only are there safety concerns for human but pets, too. Frazier stated, “Keep pets safe from mosquitoes because they can contract harmful diseases and viruses.”
Surveillance monitors are throughout Richland County to keep track of high breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Frazier said, “It depends highly on weather conditions. If there was a mild winter, typically there will be higher counts of mosquitoes. Also, if there is a drought the counts will be higher, too.” Mosquito spraying is available to the county and to find out the schedule visit, www.richlandhealth.org.
Ticks are another troublesome creature. Ticks are generally found in areas with tall grass and will grasp onto anything. Frazier said, “Wear light colored clothing and make sure to wear long pants and long shirts. Always make sure to check behind ears, legs, and belly button because those are ideal spots for ticks to reside.” Again, pets aren’t immune to the dangers of ticks. Make sure to check pets frequently if they happen to be roaming around in tall, grassy areas. Frazier suggested, “If you happen to find a tick on your pet, get a pair of tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible and make sure to pull it off at an angle.
A little prevention will keep your summer safe and fun, without letting anything bug you.
Mosquito spraying is available to the county and to find out the schedule visit the health department website.
For more information on other summer safety alerts, visit the Richland County Health Department’s website, www.richlandhealth.org, or call at 419-774-4500.