Sarasota – County health departments in the West Central Florida region – Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota – are urging all residents and visitors, especially those who are spending time outdoors, to protect themselves from mosquito and tick bites this summer season. While most tick and mosquito bites are only an annoyance, sometimes these bites can be dangerous. Preventing bites reduces the risk of a person getting infected with a mosquito or tick-borne disease. Mosquito Bite Prevention Using the right insect repellent and other preventive actions can discourage mosquitoes from landing on you. Follow these Drain and Cover tips to help prevent mosquito bites. Drain water from outside areas to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. Download these infographics for more information: Mosquitoes- Keep Them Outside and Stop Them From Breeding and Protect Your Home From Mosquitoes. Cover with protective clothing while outdoors and keep doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from going indoors.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves while outside when and where mosquitoes are most prevalent to discourage mosquitoes from biting.
- Apply insect repellent that contains DEET (10-30%), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5%. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin. Some sports clothing and gear come pretreated with permethrin.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Check and repair screens on doors and windows. Keep them closed and use air conditioning when possible.
- Make sure window screens are in good repair to reduce the chance of mosquitoes indoors.
Download the Mosquito Bite Protection in Florida infographic. Tick Bite Prevention Ticks are commonly found on the tips of grasses and shrubs and climb aboard humans as they walk by. Follow these steps to help prevent tick bites.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, boots or sturdy shoes, and a head covering. Ticks will be more visible if clothing is light-colored.
- Apply insect repellent that contains DEET (10-30%), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5%. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin. Some sports clothing and gear come pretreated with permethrin.
- Walk in the center of trails so grass, shrubs, and weeds do not brush against you.
- Check for and remove ticks from your clothing, body, hair, and pets when you have been outside.
- Washing clothing in hot water or tumbling dry clothing in the dryer for at least 10 minutes set at high heat will kill ticks.
- Shower soon after being in tick habitat.
- If a tick is found on the skin it is important to safely remove the tick as soon as possible.
- Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention products for your pets.
- Keep grass, shrubs and trees close to your residence trimmed.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on preventing tick bites. Tips on Using Repellent
- For both mosquitoes and ticks, use insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on exposed skin and clothing. EPA’s helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on the safe use of repellent. ###
About the Florida Department of HealthThe Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
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