Summertime is the time for getting outside and enjoying nature. However, it is also the season for ticks and mosquitoes.

And, unfortunately, things are off to a bad start according to Susan Paskewitz, UW–Madison professor of entomology.

In a recent WXPR article, Paskewitz explained that “this year had the earliest occurrence of a nymphal deer tick that’s ever been recorded in Wisconsin.” The article also notes that in the last 15 years, the number of reported Lyme Disease cases in Wisconsin has more than doubled.

So, how do we prevent tick bites, and also mosquito bites?

According to the CDC, there are a number of steps you can take to help prevent tick bites:

Before You Go Outdoors

• Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear, and it remains protective through several washings.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.

After You Come Back Indoors

• Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed immediately. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
• Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
• Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
• Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:
  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside belly button
  • Back of the knees
  • In and around the hair
  • Between the legs
  • Around the waist

Similarly, the CDC provides tips for how to prevent mosquito bites:

Use insect repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search tool.

Tips for babies and children

• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• When using insect repellent on your child:
  • Always follow label instructions.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
  • Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
  • To apply insect repellent to a child’s face, first spray your hands, then use your fingers/hand to apply to child’s face.

Tips for everyone

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
• Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Natural insect repellents (repellents not registered with EPA)

• We do not know the effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents. To protect yourself against diseases spread by mosquitoes, CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. Visit the EPA website to learn more.

Using these tips and tricks provided by the CDC may not fully eliminate your risk of tick and mosquito bites this summer, but they will definitely help lower the odds!