Many of us wait all year for the summer sun. Picnics and BBQ’s at the park, boat rides on the lake, are part of our favorite past times. One unfortunate happening that creeps up on us during this season are bug bites. Flea and tick bites are not only unpleasantly itchy they can cause serious health issues. In minor cases a flea bite can cause a skin infection. In a more serious case as in tick bites, they can lead to Lyme Disease. Here are several tips you can follow to minimize the damage and have a healthy safe summer.
Check Your Home
Although most of your time will be spent outside the house, you should first take a look around your home. Make sure all open windows have screens on them and that there are no holes or rips. Also make sure the screens fit properly into the window leaving no room for bugs to squeeze through.
Insects Have Favorite Times to Prowl
They come out in packs just before the sun rises and directly after it goes down in the evening. Try your best to avoid being out during these peak hours.If you must be out at these times purchasing clothing that is pre-treated with Permethrin which is a great repellent to ticks.
Get Rid of Any Standing Water
If you have a man made stream or pond in your back yard fill it with lots of fish. Fish have a way of decreasing the insect population. Standing water is a breeding ground for fleas and mosquito’s. If you have any areas around your home that are swampy cover it immediately.
The Right Clothing
Of course you will not want to cover up on a scorching afternoon. However wearing light cotton or linen pants and button down shirts could be a very effective way of preventing fleas or ticks from feasting on your skin. Another good tip is tucking your pants into your socks to make sure your ankles aren’t exposed to bug bites.
Keep Other Critters off Your Property
Skunks, squirrels, raccoons and deer bring fleas and ticks onto your property. There is a product called Riddex that will keep these creatures away which will help reduce bug problems around your home.
Insect Repellent
When buying a bug spray in order to ensure maximum protection against tick and flea bites you must make sure the product contains DEET.OFF is one the highest rated repellents, there are several types including family and backyard formula.
Natural Remedies
Spread Cedar Chips throughout your yard. Vacuum your home thoroughly and sprinkle a layer of table salt over your upholstery and carpet. Steam clean the carpet if possible. You can plant the herb tansy in the front and back yard to repel fleas.Mow and water your lawn regularly. Shorter grass lets sunlight hit the soil and heat it, which in turn kills flea larvae. Also, watering the grass will drown fleas.
