Warm weather brings out the bugs. Here’s how to avoid getting bit or stung
Warm weather is finally hitting the South Sound.
Tacoma will face a moderate heat risk over the next several days, with a high of 78 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and Monday, The National Weather Service announced.
But the searing sunshine doesn’t just bring out folks looking for a tan. It also brings out the bugs.
Cold-blooded insects are energized by heat, making summer their most active months according to Pointe Pest Control.
Worried about it? Here are the bugs you should care about:
Mosquitoes
There are over 40 different mosquito species in Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Although most bites are harmless, a chomp from an infected mosquito could spread serious disease among humans.
The types of mosquitoes that spread Zika aren’t found in Washington, according to the DOH. But the state has still experienced sporadic mosquito-bite-induced outbreaks.
Cases of western equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis in the past century afflicted hundreds of Washingtonians.
Given their tiny bodies and fast movements, avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done. But there are a few strategies to keep them at bay.
The health department recommends ensuring your windows have proper screening, and avoiding going outside from dusk till dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito repellant is another safe option for keeping the bugs at bay.
It’s also important to empty any containers with standing water near your residence, lest you want to provide a comfortable home for the buzzing pests.
Ticks
Outdoorsy readers will be quite familiar with these blood-feeding parasites. These persistent creatures perch on the edge of low vegetation to grab onto whatever animal walks past.
Relatively few tick-borne diseases are reported in Washington each year, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The ones that have appeared in the state include: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, tick paralysis and tularemia.
If you’re traversing in a tick-heavy area, you can avoid them by wearing a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants that are tucked into your socks.
Don’t forget to do a tick check after each outdoor excursion. The state health department also recommends showering within two hours of being in tick habitat to reduce the risk of Lyme disease.
If you spot a tick on your birthday suit, it’s best to remove it as soon as possible. The safest way is by using fine-tipped tweezers to grab the insect as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with even pressure. Then clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets are one of the most common types of wasps found in Washington. While they do prey on insects, yellowjackets’ main grub is human food and garbage, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
They have aggressive feeding habits, making them especially annoying for picnicking or camping in the summer weather.
Yellowjackets have been known to build their nests in old rodent burrows, behind walls or even within playground equipment. In late summer and fall, they get their most aggressive and could even sting you unprovoked.
If you expect to enter yellowjacket territory, avoid wearing bright colors or fragrant perfumes, and be sure to clean up any food or waste left outside.
Though it might be instinct to fight, the health department recommends staying still if the bug is flying around you. Swatting could make it sting in defense.
