Tick and Mosquito Summer Camp Safety

Summer is here, school is out, and the kids are ready to play! Where will yours be spending the summer? Do you have one or maybe even several weeks of summer camp lined up? You know when your kids are home and playing outdoors that they are safe from ticks and mosquitoes because you have Mosquito Squad, but what about when they are away? Are you sure they are being protected?

We all want our children to enjoy their summers because adulthood comes soon enough, but no matter how many great days of hiking, swimming, canoeing, and archery are planned it can be quickly ruined by the biting, stinging, and itching of mosquito bites. Not to mention the fear that comes from knowing that mosquitoes and ticks carry disease. West Nile is our biggest concern here in Florida when it comes to vector-borne illnesses. However, the CDChas recently published a report telling us that diseases caused by ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes have tripled in the past 13 years and the areas they are present in are growing. News4Jax reminds us that this means there is a higher risk of infection and that as parents, protecting our children against these bugs has to be a priority.

How to Avoid Mosquito & Tick Bites at Summer Camp

Here is a quick list of things you can do to make sure that you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all your t’s when it comes preparing your kids for a bite-free summer camp experience.

• Know your camp’s policies – When you register your children they are sure to give you information about the application of bug repellent and sunscreen, but if they don’t be sure to ask. Also, make sure you are aware of their treatment policies if your child does get bitten.
• Teach your children how to safely mist themselves – When applying an EPA registered insect repellent, make sure your children know they should start at the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Ticks crawl up and it’s a favorite spot for mosquitoes to start as well.
• Dress appropriately – If your children will be in deep woods or in tall grass, long pants are best. Boots with the pants tucked in may also be a good idea. Knowledge of exactly what activities your child will be engaged in is important to make sure that you have them dress properly.
• Take proper equipment – Permethrin treated tents are a great idea for avoiding ticks when camping in the woods.
• Body checks and tick removal – No matter how careful you are, there is always the possibility that your child will bring a tick home so body and hair checks are important. And if you were to find one, remember to pull the tick out with tweezers getting as close to the skin as possible as to remove all of the head. Use alcohol to clean at the removal point.

We are so happy that you choose us at Mosquito Squad of Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra to keep your family protected from mosquitoes and ticks at home. We want to make your yard fun and livable all year long. But we know that we can’t go with you everywhere you go, just like you can’t go with your children. If we all remember to think ahead and take the right precautions it can be a safe and fun summer wherever we are. Please call us with any questions or concerns you may have about your mosquito and tick protection. 904-559-3414