News You Can Use
Summer ritual: Battling mosquitoes and other pests
University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Kasia Haupt
July 21, 2004
STARKVILLE, Miss.—If summer bugs are bugging you, a Mississippi State insect specialist offers some tried-and-true measures to reduce their nuisance and potential health risks.
James Jarratt, an extension service entomologist, recommends any repellent that contains DEET to keep mosquitoes at bay. While DEET-laden products “have proven they repel insects and last for a fairly long time,” he urges users to carefully follow product instructions, especially when used for children under the age of 10.
While the scent of some plants and candles supposedly can repel mosquitoes, Jarratt is skeptical of their effectiveness. “Keep in mind that, if you’re outside, breezes and air currents might dilute the presence of any odors in the air,” he adds.
Ticks are another pest humans should take measures to avoid. While some varieties of ticks carry diseases, happily, the much-dreaded Lyme disease is rare in the South, he adds.
To remove the tiny blood-suckers, Jarrett recommends the following steps: “Moisten either your fingers or some forceps in alcohol, firmly grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and gently exert pressure upward until the tick is released.”
Also, avoid scratching the affected area. “People react differently to different types of bites,” Jarratt observes, so expect to have irritated skin for anywhere from 3-10 days. Remember to apply an antiseptic as protection from secondary infections and, if especially sensitive or allergic to bites, promptly consult a physician.
Other ways to protect against summertime pests include:
—Avoidance of standing water and brushy locations, as well as other areas where mosquitoes and ticks commonly are found;
—Modifying outdoors schedules to avoid the peak mosquito times of early morning and late afternoon/early evening; and
—Wearing tightly woven clothing, long sleeves, and long pants to reduce the skin exposure to pests.