Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Spring 2019

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; healthfinder.gov FRHS.ORG 7 Bugs be gone! MOSQUI TOES AND T ICKS CAN DEL I VER DANGEROUS DISEASES IN JUST ONE BI TE . HERE ’S HOW TO AVOID BE ING A TARGET. Dump standing water. Water that collects in places like wading pools, planters and buckets is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. Got a bug bite that’s questionable? Snap a photo and get it checked out right away via your smartphone or a computer with FRPS Virtual Visit. Log on at frpsclinics.org . Cover up. Hide your skin with long- sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when you’re outside. Don’t be tempting. Use insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Do tick checks. Scrutinize your body for ticks if you’ve been outside— even in your yard. If you spot a tick, remove it with tweezers right away. Debug. To wash away ticks, shower off within two hours if you’ve been in a potentially infested area. Build a barricade. Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home, and repair any holes in screens. Maintain lawn chores. Mow your lawn frequently to help keep ticks away from your home. Be pet smart. Don’t let ticks hitchhike into your home on Fluffy or Fido. Check pets for ticks, and ask your vet about products to keep them tick-free.