Bugs that can give you a bug

Bug-borne diseases are causing a buzz these days. Some tiny critters can pack a punch when it comes to your health. So, what should we swat away in our area? And what’s harmless?

Ticks

Ticks live in long grasses, leaf piles and even your backyard — and not all carry disease. But some are responsible for potentially serious health problems. The black-legged tick, or deer tick, is the main culprit for spreading disease in our region.

Lyme disease:

If you’re bitten, you might notice flu-like symptoms and a rash. Left untreated, more serious issues like arthritis and neurological problems could crop up. The good news? Most people fully recover with antibiotics.

Anaplasmosis:

This less-common ailment can cause symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches and nausea. Quick treatment with antibiotics usually improves symptoms within two days.

Babesiosis:

Symptoms of this potentially dangerous, on-the-rise disease are similar to the flu — fever, muscle pain and fatigue — and can be severe in older adults and those with immune deficiencies. It’s treated with antiparasitic and antibiotic medications.

To lessen your chances of a tick-borne illness:

• Use insect repellent with 20% – 50% DEET.
• Cover your skin with clothing and tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
• Avoid wooded areas, high grass and piles of leaves.
• Check clothing and skin when you go inside.
• Shower and wash clothing within a few hours of coming indoors. 
• If you need to remove a tick, grab it as close to your skin as possible with tweezers, pull straight out and wash your hands and the bite area thoroughly.

Mosquitoes

These pesky insects are everywhere! The biggest threat they pose locally is the spread of West Nile virus. Most people don't show symptoms or have mild ones like fever, headache and body aches, but in rare cases, more serious issues like encephalitis can develop.

Protect yourself by:

• Using insect repellent with 20% – 50% DEET
• Wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Removing outdoor standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs
• Keeping doors and windows shut or using screens

Fleas

These tiny terrors are more than a pain for your dog or cat. They’re happy to snack on humans, too — and move into your house. Although they don’t usually cause major health problems, they can spread cat scratch disease and tapeworms. Fleas are most active in warmer weather, but the eggs, pupae and larvae can survive all year.

Prevent fleas by: 

• Regularly vacuuming rugs and washing bedding
• Using flea prevention on your pets
• Keeping your grass short
• Avoiding wild animals or strays

Head lice

While these parasites don't spread disease, they can cause discomfort. Lice spread through direct contact. Regularly washing clothing and bedding (and not sharing personal items like brushes and towels) can help prevent infestations.

If you get lice, skip home remedies like suffocating them with mayonnaise or olive oil. Your best bet is treatment with over-the-counter or prescription medications that kill lice and their eggs.

Bed bugs

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t just live in dirty places. You could get them from a five-star hotel and bring them home in your luggage or clothing.

They’re another pest that doesn’t spread disease to humans, but their bites are unpleasant. When you stay in a hotel or rental house, check the seams of the mattress, box springs, bed frames, headboards and dressers for these small, reddish-brown, flat insects. They also emit a distinctive sweet, musty odor.