Beware! Tick and Mosquito Season is Here: How to Stay Safe in Michigan

As the weather warms up in Michigan, so does the activity of mosquitoes and ticks.

These pesky insects can cause a range of illnesses, from mild irritation to serious diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus.

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To help you stay healthy this tick and mosquito season, I've gathered tips and advice from experts in Michigan.

Try To Avoid Being Bitten By Ticks And Mosquitoes

Preventing mosquito and tick bites is the best way to avoid illnesses. Kristen Schweighoefer, MPH, RS, environmental health director, recommends using insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Apply it to exposed skin and clothing, and follow the instructions on the label.

You can also wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours, which are dawn and dusk.

It's Not Always Easy To Know You've Been Bitten

Ticks can be harder to spot than mosquitoes, so it's important to check yourself and your pets for ticks after spending time outside.

If you find a tick, use tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out.

Clean the bite and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

If you develop a rash or fever after a tick bite, see a doctor.

Get Rid Of Standing Water

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, get rid of standing water around your home. Brian Gregory, director of the Midland County Mosquito Control Program, recommends dumping standing water at least once a week.

You can also use mosquito dunks, which are small tablets that kill mosquito larvae in standing water.

Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.

Ticks and mosquitoes are not the only things you need to watch out for in Michigan.