If you work outside in the summer, you’re well aware of the hazards: excessive heat, sun exposure, and pop-up storms. You may be ready for the threats posed by summer weather… but are you prepared for the problems caused by summer insects like ticks and mosquitoes?

Outdoor workers are especially at risk because of your long exposure time and pests’ attraction to the carbon monoxide you emit as you work and sweat. Both ticks and mosquitoes are vectors for diseases that can cause severe illness – from Lyme disease to West Nile virus – so it’s important to protect yourself from these pest-borne threats.

How Do You Keep Ticks and Mosquitoes Away?

When you’re working on someone else’s property, it can be difficult to guard your environment against pests. If you have any authority over your worksite, there are a few things you can do to minimize risk including eliminating trash and water sources where bugs can breed. But ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure your personal safety.

How Can You Protect Yourself from Ticks and Mosquitoes?

There are some commonsense ways to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes. Your clothing is key and proper pesticide use can help. Knowledge is power too: know the signs of tick and mosquito vectored illnesses and, if bitten, seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.

Tick safety tips for outdoor workers:

Wear light-colored clothing so you can easily see any ticks that land on you.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover exposed skin.
Tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling inside.
Use a DEET or permethrin-based chemical tick repellent.
If possible, avoid overgrown areas and tall grasses where ticks may lurk.
Perform frequent tick checks on yourself and your gear.
Remove any ticks quickly and completely. If bitten, save the tick in a plastic baggie for identification in case you become ill.

While certain precautions are helpful for avoiding a wide range of insects, others are more specific to certain species. That’s why we’re providing two different lists of tips for outdoor workers.

Mosquito safety tips for outdoor workers:

Wear light-colored clothing, as mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors.
Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts, and (because mosquitoes often bite at ankle level) wear long pants with socks.
Avoid cologne and other scented products – these attract mosquitoes.
Use mosquito repellent and apply it after you put on sunscreen.
If possible, avoid working at dusk or dawn – which are peak mosquito feeding times.

We Protect Homes and Businesses from Tick and Mosquito Threats

East End Tick and Mosquito Control® has been keeping Long Island families and businesses safe from tick and mosquito threats for more than 20 years. Contact us online or call us for a free quote. If you’re in the Southampton area, call (631) 287-9700; in East Hampton, (631) 324-9700, or in Southold, (631) 765-9700. We look forward to hearing from you.