How to Keep Mosquitoes and Ticks off Your Skin this Summer

Dealing with pesky bug bites is already among the worst parts of warm weather, but the incessant scratching isn’t the only nuisance. State health departments report approximately 30,000 cases annually of Lyme disease—spread by deer ticks—to the CDC across all 50 states, and this year, the tick threat level is above average in four regions (Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest). Further, in 2018 the CDC reported 2,544 cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus across the country, with the highest concentration in the Midwest.

Mitigating the risks that insects like ticks and mosquitoes pose to humans starts with preventing the bites in the first place. Wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers your limbs when you spend time outdoors can keep bugs from piercing your skin, but may not be your top wardrobe choice in the summer heat. Bug spray—or topical insect repellent—and pesticide-treated clothing make you an unappealing snack. And, thanks to science, there are many options to choose from.

Read the full article by Jessica Kasparian on Review's website here.