Now that the warmer weather has arrived, everyone, particularly seniors, should be prepared to fend off insects.
Why? Vector-borne diseases seem to be on the rise, and some can be extremely debilitating.
Which bugs should you guard against? There are a few, but here are two of the more troublesome pests that make their presence in the Northeast.
- Mosquitoes. New England evenings tend to be glorious in the warmer weather. The setting sun is radiant, the twilight air is incomparable, and the nighttime sky exudes romance. There’s not much that can beat outdoor enjoyment on a beautiful New England night. Despite the splendor, mosquitoes announce their arrival at dusk and evening. How do they do this? By sucking our blood. Yes, the outdoor atmosphere may be wonderful, but this warm weather bug is not. Besides bestowing itchy, bothersome bumps as unwelcome gifts to the recipient, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). What steps can be taken to repel mosquitoes? Well, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so it’s important to clear away any wetness hanging around. At the same time, make sure gutters are regularly checked, window screens are free of holes, and doors do not stay open when someone arrives or leaves. If you will be outside, especially for protracted periods, it is important to spray your clothing with an insect repellent. Products containing 20% to 30% DEET are typically effective, but certain natural sprays may work, as well. (Note: Check DEET guidelines if using bug spray on your grandchildren). Bottom line? Infected mosquitoes can wreak havoc in some people, so be careful.
- Ticks. The CDC warns that ticks are especially active in warmer weather, but they are even becoming hardy in colder temperatures. A misnomer is that you only have to protect against this pest if you are walking in a wooded or brush-filled area. Yes, ticks tend to be present in larger numbers in places that have a great deal of growth, but they also hangout on your front, side, and back lawn. What can you do? Wear long sleeves, long pants, and high socks when walking in any grassy or brush-like setting: the ticks will have a harder time finding a blood meal. Concurrently, consider applying a 30% to 50% DEET repellant. There are more natural products that are supposed to keep ticks away, but they might not be as successful (so do research). For good reason, many people prefer to stay away from chemicals, but sometimes you have to weigh the risks versus the benefits. A tick carrying Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella or other types of bacteria could inflict chaos in the body, especially in seniors. To add insult to injury, the symptoms of tick-borne diseases are sometimes mistaken for other conditions. Unfortunately, this can result in delayed treatment and chronic problems. The current blood tests used to detect Lyme are not always accurate. Therefore, take precautions.
Spring and summer are magnificent in New England, and bugs should not interfere with the enjoyment of these seasons. Still, it makes sense to guard against disease-carrying insects as best as possible. As the wise idiom says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”
