Weekly Safety Tip–Tick and Insect Safety

/ June 4, 2025/ Faculty, Staff

As temperatures rise, insects have started to emerge. Aside from causing itching pain, redness, and swelling, many bug bites can also spread diseases.

To help prevent insect bites:

• Wear light-colored clothing that covers your body. 
• Avoid standing water where mosquitoes like to lay eggs.
• Avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk. 
• If you are bitten, try not to scratch. Scratching irritates the bite and may cause infection.

Ticks:

• Avoid wooded, brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Check for ticks after coming in from outdoor activities. Also, check clothing.
• If you find a tick it is important to remove it as quickly as possible. Use fine-tip tweezers to remove the entire tick. Then wash the area with soap and water.
• If you are bitten and develop flu-like symptoms or a rash, seek medical attention.

Bees/Wasps/Hornets:

• Stay away from hives and nests.
• Don’t swat bees or wasps with your hands.
• Stings may feel hot and itchy. Swelling or a red bump may appear. 
• Treat stings by washing the area with soap and water, then apply ice.
• If there are signs of a severe reaction, call 911 and use an EPI pen if available.

Questions? heidi.fleming@desales.edu