It’s summertime, and the bitin’ is easy…for a mosquito or tick, that is. The key to avoiding mosquitos and ticks—and the diseases they transmit—is prevention, prevention, prevention.
Here are seven tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep pests from robbing you of summer fun:
- Treat clothing (also tents, sleeping bags and other outdoor gear) with permethrin, a repellent that can last for up to six weeks/six washings. Once sprayed on, it kills ticks and mosquitos upon contact with the treated clothing.
- Apply repellent regularly (do not use permethrin directly on the skin, just on clothing).
- Wear light-colored clothing to cover up (long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks).
- Avoid areas that have a high density of mosquitos.
- Eliminate or at least mitigate places where standing water tends to collect around your home.
- If you use water in landscaping features, keep it moving if at all possible.
- Check yourself daily (your entire body) for ticks and remove them immediately.
Please print this information and use it to help kick off a team discussion at your next meeting with colleagues and/or staff.
All employees are encouraged to submit safety shares for inclusion in the Safety Share Library, available on Box. Submission details are available on Inside Argonne.
Each month a safety share submitted by an individual will be selected to receive a Spot Award for demonstrated safety leadership. The Spot Award program offers three award levels: gold ($100), silver ($50) and bronze ($25).
By Andrea Manning (BIS)