Summertime: when Washington residents rush to get outside. There’s no better place to enjoy nature. But as eager as you may be, don’t forget to practice proper summer safety – and we’re not just talking about sunscreen. You must prepare to face the many pests and critters that call Western Washington home.
Summer is a favorite season among Pacific Northwesterners. The rain is finally gone, the sun is shining and, most importantly, school is out. But don’t let your future “fun in the sun” be ruined by ticks, mosquitoes and the diseases they harbor.
Dr. Tom Rand of PeaceHealth Medical Group is a pediatrician that has an additional subspecialty in pediatric infectious diseases. His guidelines ensure you and your family have a safe summer. And these tips aren’t exclusive to Whatcom County; if you live in Western Washington, it’s a good idea to apply these to your everyday life.
First, let’s debunk the myth: Many people think tick checks are just an annoyance; that you won’t find the tick or, if you do, you’re already a lost cause. This is simply untrue. According to Dr. Rand, tick checks really do work. In fact, regular tick checks outdoors and again upon your return home help prevent the spread of disease.
Make sure to check your body for ticks, as well as your clothes. Ticks like to hide under your arms, in or around your ears, on the back of your knees and around your waist. Shower or bathe as soon as you get home. Tickborne infection is less likely if you limit how long a tick is attached.
Wear bug repellent as a preventative measure against ticks. Repellents are the same ones we use for mosquitoes. The typical active ingredients in repellent are DEET and picaridin. Dr. Rand also recommends wearing the right clothing to avoid mosquito and tick bites. Bug-resistant clothing consists of long pants, tucked-in shirts and boots – the perfect outfit for mountain adventures. It’s also a good idea to tuck your pant legs into your socks to keep ticks out. If you believe your outdoor activities need extra protection, Dr. Rand suggests treating your clothes with permethrin, an insecticide that can be used on clothing to kill ticks and mosquitoes on contact.
But why protect against mosquitoes and ticks? What’s the big deal? They’re just like any other bug, right?
Unfortunately, they aren’t.
Ticks are notorious carriers of infectious disease. The Washington State Department of Health reports tickborne diseases in our state include Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, tick paralysis, tularemia anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Some of these diseases are quite rare in Washington compared to other parts of the US. With global warming, the risk of tick-borne diseases may change. Some areas previously free of some types of disease-carrying ticks have had ticks introduced via dogs, pack animals and migrating wildlife. Warmer winters allow ticks to survive in areas previously free of some types of ticks.
Mosquitoes bring their own nastiness, with diseases such as West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus is the most important disease contracted from mosquitoes in our area. According to the Washington State Department of Health, West Nile Virus was first introduced in Washington in 2006. Although the risk of contracting West Nile Virus varies year by year, fatal cases have occurred.
Another mosquito-borne virus that does not currently affect our area, Zika virus, has been in the news because of the risk to unborn babies if the mother is infected during pregnancy. Although the type of mosquito that spreads Zika and related viruses—dengue and Chikungunya fever—doesn’t live in Washington, it’s important to know that mosquitoes can carry this disease, especially if you’re traveling to other parts of the world.
Is spraying areas for mosquitoes bad or good?
Surprisingly, it’s not as easy an answer as you’d think. It’s situational and based on surveying the area. If the space seems to be affected by a notable population of infected mosquitoes, county or city governments may spray. If an area you live in decides to spray for mosquitoes, it’s best to stay inside while they do, so you can avoid contracting short-term respiratory illness.
To avoid running into pest problems this summer, it’s best to follow Dr. Rand’s guidelines: Always do a tick check – both outside and when you’re back home – use insect repellents and wear protective clothing when participating in outdoor activities.
Have fun out there this summer and stay safe!
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