With temperatures starting to warm up and summer break for public schools only weeks away, kids are going to be outside enjoying the hot weather sooner than you think. But they aren’t the only ones who will be taking advantage of this opportunity – the bugs are out in full force this year as well. By being aware of some of these pesky and sometimes harmful critters, you can better keep those close to you safe.
Already nuisances this year are the notorious gypsy moth caterpillars. These fuzzy caterpillars can be found practically everywhere in the Tri-Town and surrounding area, but don’t let looks deceive you. The hairs on the caterpillars contain histamine, which can cause an annoying reaction when in contact with skin in the form of red, itchy rashes. The caterpillars and the rashes they spread will only be around for a few more weeks until they phase into pupae.
Another annual threat that most people are familiar with hearing about is mosquitoes. Since the Tri-Town is located in a wetlands area, the yearly amount of mosquitoes tends to be high as the swampy land provides optimal breeding grounds for the insects. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, female mosquitoes, which are the ones that bite humans, live for an average of about two weeks. In this time period, however, mosquitoes can transmit severe viruses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus; these are two diseases linked specifically to mosquitoes in Massachusetts.
Of course, one can’t forget about ticks. Ticks are found all throughout the state, particularly in woods or grassy areas, with the most common types being the deer tick and dog tick. If these insects bite you, they can transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The MDPH suggests, “If you cannot avoid areas likely to have ticks, the most important thing you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick is to check your entire body for ticks after returning indoors and to remove any attached tick as soon as possible.”
A new hazard in the New England area is the Lone Star tick, named for the white dot on its back. While a deer or dog tick will wait until a person comes into contact with them to bite, a Lone Star tick will actively chase down a nearby host. The CDC lists these ticks as “very aggressive” and capable of transmitting diseases such as tularemia and STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness). Lone Star ticks have also caused red meat allergies in bitten individuals, as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center has published.
How do you best avoid these threats? MDPH says that repellents containing DEET or permethrin greatly reduce the risk of tick and mosquito bites. Permethrin should not be applied to skin, however. Permethrin-laced clothing can be found online. For mosquitoes, remove standing water or apply mosquito control products to the area, as this kills the larvae before they can hatch. Clearing brush and cutting long grass around your home can help reduce the number of ticks, as it removes their preferred habitats. Wearing long pants and other covering clothes is suggested when going into mosquito and tick-infested areas, such as thick woodlands. Perhaps most importantly, remember to check yourself and others for ticks. Catching these insects before they have time to do harm is the best prevention step you can take.
By Jo Caynon