Avoiding Summer Pests

Protect your family against biting and stinging bugs,

and the diseases they may carry.

Most people are annoyed when bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, and spiders, or stung by bees and wasps, but these potential pests can cause allergic reactions, infections, or even spread disease. These "bugs" are more active in summertime, and spending time outdoors means people are more likely to encounter them. The following are some of the common biting and stinging pests and suggestions on how to protect you and your family.

Mosquitoes

Mosquito season, typically April through September, means an increased threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus infection. Most mosquito bites do not lead to human illness, yet mosquito borne-diseases can be serious. Mosquitoes can breed in anything that can hold water for several days. Mosquito exposure can be reduced by eliminating mosquito habitats around the home:

• Empty anything that holds standing water—buckets, flowerpots, wheelbarrows, and toys.

• Change water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and animal troughs twice a week.

• Keep rain gutters clean so they drain properly.

• Recycle or dispose of old tires and unused bottles and cans that can collect water.

• Don't over irrigate lawns and gardens which may create pools of stagnant water.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, make sure doors and windows are properly screened, and avoid mosquito-infested areas or stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active. When in mosquito-infested areas, use an effective repellent. Repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR-3535 are registered by the EPA and have been proven to be effective. The Department of Health West Nile virus information line 1-866-78-VIRUS (1-866-788-4787) and West Nile Virus Web page are excellent resources.

Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps forage for food and build nests this time of year. Their stings can be painful with redness, itching, and swelling lasting for several days. To reduce the effects of the sting, quickly remove the stinger, apply ice, and a baking soda paste or commercial preparation. Reduce your chances of being stung by not disturbing nests or wearing brightly colored clothing, open-toed shoes, and aromatic perfumes or lotions.

People who are allergic to bee or wasp stings should seek immediate medical attention following a sting. Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to any insect sting should carry identification that states their allergy and any medication they are taking.

To learn more, view the Washington State University Extension's Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps publication.

Ticks

Two types of ticks are found statewide (hard and soft). Ticks usually feed on the blood of animals, but will also feed on people when the opportunity arises. Hard ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, live in areas of open forest, sagebrush, grasslands, and along edges of woodlands. Hikers, campers, and people spending time outdoors in tick-infested areas should routinely check themselves for ticks. Most tick bites do not lead to illness; however, people who develop a fever, rash, or pain and swelling in the area of the bite should see their health care provider.

Tick-borne relapsing fever, transmitted by soft ticks, is the most common tick-borne disease in Washington. Most soft ticks nest with their hosts—primarily rodents. Summer cabins infested with rodents may also be home to soft ticks. Following these guidelines can reduce your risk of tick bites:

• Use repellents that are approved for use against ticks.

• Wear light colored clothing (so ticks are more visible) that covers arms and legs.

• Tuck in clothing, including pants into socks or boots.

• After being outdoors in tick habitat, perform a body check or have someone else check you for ticks. Check children (especially at the hairline and behind ears) and pets .

• Rodent-proof buildings and avoid sleeping in rodent-infested areas. Safely remove rodent nesting materials and perform rodent and tick control.

Remove attached ticks slowly to prevent broken mouthparts from remaining in the skin. Use blunt tweezers, forceps, or wear protective gloves and use your fingers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward without twisting. Do not crush or puncture the tick. Wash the bite with soap and water then apply a bactericide. For more information on tick-borne disease and tick control around your home, visit our Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Web page.

Biting Flies

Horse and deer flies are well known for landing stealthily on exposed skin and delivering a painful bite that can itch for days. Scratching the bite may lead to infection. These flies are active during the day and are especially common around ponds, streams, and marshes. They are capable of transmitting tularemia, a bacterial disease they pick up from wild animals. 

Small biting flies or midges, commonly called No-See-Ums, are tiny. Some types can pass through a window screen. These flies are extremely vicious biters in the morning and evening, and can be a serious pest at summer camps and near beaches or other water bodies. Although small biting flies are not known to transmit diseases in Washington, their bite itches intensely and scratching may lead to infection.

Precautions to avoid being bitten by flies are similar to those of mosquitoes. If you're bitten it's advisable to wash the bite area with soap and water, apply a bactericide and an anti-itching ointment.

Fleas

Fleas can cause great discomfort to our pets and leave us with small itchy bites, often on our legs.  Their bites can cause allergic reactions and scratching can lead to infection. Fleas are capable of picking up plague from wild rodents and transmitting the bacterial disease to people. Learn more about plague at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Plague Web page. To help prevent flea infestations:

• Keep lawns trimmed and avoid piling sand and gravel for long periods around the home.

• Vacuum carpet and furniture. Clean pet and people bedding regularly.

• Seal out and do proper rodent control around the home.

• Use flea control for your pets. For the most effective treatments, consult with your veterinarian.

• Keep pets away from wild animals.

Flea control is best achieved with a simultaneous, coordinated effort that includes target cleaning, pet treatment, and home treatment. To learn more, visit Washington State University Extension's fact sheet on flea control.

Spiders

It's important to remember that most spider bites occur when they are pressed against our skin or provoked.  And of the nearly 900 species of spiders identified in Washington, only two are potentially the most dangerous. 

Our native western black widow spider is common in eastern Washington and has a few, small populations in the western side of the state. It is usually associated with undisturbed piles of wood, outbuildings, rock piles, bales of hay, crawl spaces, and other dry dark holes. Black widows are shy and bite only reluctantly, usually when provoked.

The hobo spider, an introduced European species, is one of many funnel web weaving spiders.  Hobo spiders are most commonly found around home foundations, and beneath rocks, wood, and ornaments in the yard. They bite when provoked. Most bites occur when males begin wandering in search of mates in mid-summer through early fall.

If someone is suspected of being bitten by a black widow or hobo spider or develops what appears to be an allergic reaction to any other spider bite, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Learn more about spiders and how to manage spider problems from Washington State University Extension, Gardening in Western Washington Library Web page.

More information on summer pests is available on the Department of Health, Zoonotic Disease Program Web page.