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Photo via Pixabay by Makamuki0
Protecting your family, your pets, and yourself against tick and mosquito bites can be daunting, especially during the warmer months when they’re rampant in many areas across the U.S. These disease-carrying bugs often hide out in tall grass and can latch onto clothing, making them extremely hard to get rid of. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you take precautions against them, and to educate your family about how to keep themselves safe.
Fortunately, there are some easy ways you can prevent bug bites and the spread of illness. By being prepared with protective clothing, keeping your lawn well-tended, and taking good care of your pets, you can keep the bugs at bay this year. Educating yourself on how to spot mosquitoes and ticks is a good idea (since they’re so small), as well as learning how to keep mosquitoes from infiltrating your yard. It’s also smart to learn what to do in the event that you or a loved one is bitten.
Here are a few tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe from bug bites.
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Keep your lawn maintained
Ticks and other biting pests often hide in tall grass, weeds, and trees, so it’s important to make sure your lawn is well taken care of. If it’s in the budget, consider hiring a gardening professional who can tend to your landscaping and keep it neat and tidy. Make sure they address and remove any weeds or other troublesome plants. If you need a tree removed, you’ll need to call in tree removal specialists who can tackle this problem head-on. Just make sure you get a few quotes and save your money; the removal of a big tree can run you around $1,600 on average, with costs rising if it’s closer to your home. Taking care of these potential problems will help keep both your family and your pets safe from these nasty bugs.
Know how to react
If you or a loved one is bitten by a tick, it’s important to know what to do immediately afterward. Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose, and ticks can spread other illnesses as well, so it’s essential to seek treatment right away. See a doctor as soon as possible and report any unusual symptoms, especially if a child is bitten, and check the child all over to make sure there are no other ticks hiding between toes or in the belly button.
Learn the difference between bug bites
Many bug bites can look similar, so it’s important to learn the difference between them, as some can be more dangerous than others. Mosquito bites are typically about the size of a dime and begin to itch soon after the bug strikes, but some people have more extreme reactions. If the affected individual has trouble breathing or feels an itchy sensation in the back of their throat, they may be having an anaphylactic reaction and it’s crucial to get them to a medical professional right away. For all other mosquito bites, you can choose from a variety of anti-itch remedies.
Keep your pets safe
Pets are just as at-risk for harmful bug bites as we are, so it’s important to make sure you keep them up-to-date on their flea and tick medication. Even if they don’t spend a ton of time outdoors, just one stroll through tall grass is all it takes. It can be helpful to keep your pet’s hair cut short, as well. Check your pet regularly for ticks and, if you find one, have the vet remove it if possible.
Protecting your family against tick and mosquito bites doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. There are various precautions you can take that will help you keep everyone safe, and even if you do suffer a bite, cleaning and caring for the wound effectively will help to prevent infection. Planning well will help to give you peace of mind all year long.
Guest Article by Clara Beaufort
