Keeping yourself safe from mosquito and tick bites

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The weather has finally warmed up and looks like it may be sticking around, but that also means summer bugs are back.

It’s officially mosquito and tick season and there are things you can do to help keep you and your family safe from the diseases they carry. Last year in Muskingum County, no residents were diagnosed with West Nile Virus, one person had Lacrosse Encephalitis, 17 had Lyme Disease, and two people had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. There are several ways you can protect yourself from potential being bitten by one of these bugs.

“Some things people can do to protect themselves are use repellents whenever they’re out in the woods. Also, avoid heavy biting times for mosquitoes which would be dusk and dawn,” said Matt Hemmer a Registered Sanitarian for the Public Health Department. “As for ticks, you can avoid them by staying out of areas with tall grass and also staying in the center of trails when walking.”

Hemmer said you should also check your kids and dogs for ticks after being outside and monitor them for mosquito bites. In addition to protect yourself, you should also protect your home.

“The most important thing for people to do to prevent mosquitoes is drain standing water. It is also possible to treat standing water and if you need more information on that you can contact us through our website or call our mosquito hotline.”

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Public Health Department’s mosquito control program begins at the end of May. That’s when they will investigate mosquito complaints and spray problem areas to help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.