What can you do to reduce the incidence of insect bites and the accompanying risk of mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses?

Experts suggest the following.

•  Use an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These products are the most effective available.

•  Carefully read and follow all label directions for application and use.

•  Dress in light-colored clothes to discourage mosquitoes and to enable you to spot ticks more easily.

•  Wear collared long-sleeved shirts and long pants with cuffs for maximum protection. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pant cuffs into your socks or boots.

•  If possible, stay away from heavily wooded, high grassy areas and standing water.

•  Look for ticks before you return indoors. Some are only the size of a pinhead. Check your clothing and especially around the scalp, nape of the neck, behind ears and knees, and under armpits.

•  Remove ticks completely with tweezers. DO NOT remove ticks with petroleum jelly, hot objects such as matches or cigarettes, or by other methods. These methods can increase the chance of the tick injecting you with dangerous bacteria. Discard ticks carefully-dropping them in your yard invites infestation.

•  If bitten by any insect or tick, treat the bite site with a topical antibiotic. If rashes or flu-like symptoms occur within the next few weeks, seek medical attention immediately.

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