Tips for dealing with common summertime pests

JACKSON, Tenn. — As summer sets in, it’s good to be aware of pests that may impact you while outdoors.

As temperatures and humidities rise, West Tennessee becomes a safe haven for several outdoor pests.

Pests like mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, stinging caterpillars, and most commonly, fire ants.

Sebe Brown, an entomologist with UT Extension has some tips for dealing with pests.

“One of the best, most effective ways to get rid of fire ants is to use something called ‘fire ant baits.’ You can buy them at big box stores, you can buy them at co-ops. They are fire ant specific and so you can sprinkle them around your yard and it’ll be safe to use around pets and playgrounds,” said Brown.

The most dangerous pests during the summer are ticks. Ticks are most commonly found on people working outdoors in a wooded area.

The most common ticks in West Tennessee are lone star ticks. A good way to help prevent tick bites is to minimize skin exposure as much as possible. You should also avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents can also help reduce chances of bites.

If you find a tick on you, remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of tick-borne illness.

“Ehrlichiosis, you’ve got Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, Alpha-Gal Syndrome. So there’s several different diseases that ticks can spread,” said Brown.

If you remove a tick and symptoms do not go away, Brown recommends seeking medical help. There is no need to be afraid of going outdoors.

Just like other things that carry risk, you should always remain aware of what’s around you. You can turn off outdoor lighting to reduce flying pests’ attraction around your home.

For more local news, click here.