1. (NU) - Camping is a favorite
activity for outdoor enthusiasts
across the country. There are few
better ways to take in the fresh air
and relax than by spending some
time out in the elements without
all the distractions of everyday life.
However, it’s important to keep in
mind that the great outdoors is also
home to some serious health
threats -- and you may be surprised
at the “biggest” culprits!
While small in size, mosqui-
toes and ticks are out in abun-
dance this time of year. Just one
bite from an infected mosquito or
tick can have chronic, and possi-
bly fatal, consequences.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), late summer is peak time
for West Nile virus infections
(WNV), and transmission of the
disease frequently continues into
the fall as well. According to the
National Pest Management As-
sociation’s medical advisor, Dr.
Jorge Parada, the elderly, children
and those with weakened immune
systems are most vulnerable to
West Nile virus infections, which
can be fatal in severe cases.
Ticks are capable of transmit-
ting a variety of illnesses to hu-
mans, the most common being
Lyme disease. Spread by the
blacklegged deer tick, Lyme dis-
ease has historically been a prob-
lem in the northeast U.S. How-
ever, anAugust 2015 report from
the CDC found blacklegged deer
ticks are expanding their territo-
ry farther in to the West and
South, bringing the threat of
Lyme disease with them.
The National Pest Manage-
ment Association offers the fol-
lowing tips for campers to pro-
tect themselves from mosquito
and tick bites:
• Always apply insect repel-
lent containing DEET, picaridin
or IR3535 when outdoors and use
as directed on the product label.
• Reduce the amount of skin
exposed during dusk and dawn,
when certain types of mosquitoes
are most active.
• Avoid areas where ticks are
most abundant, including high
grasses and low-growing vege-
tation along the edge of the
woods or a trail.
• Wear long pants, long-
sleeved shirts and closed-toe
shoes when outdoors. While
hiking, tuck long pants into your
socks to keep ticks out.
• Consider investing in perme-
thrin-treated clothing and gear for
an extra level of protection and
choose light-colored clothing that
will make spotting ticks easier.
• Inspect yourself and your
companions carefully for ticks af-
ter being outdoors; finding and re-
moving ticks in a timely manner
is critical to preventing disease.
For more information on mos-
quitoes and ticks, please visit
www.pestworld.org.
Tips to Enjoy Pest-Free
Camping This Summer
OUTDOORS
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Don’t let bugs ruin
a great time.
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