Tips to Avoiding Lyme Disease This Summer

Lyme Disease is a very real disease that is touching the lives of many people and many more people have one of more Lyme Disease symptoms and don't know what is ailing them. There are many ways to prevent being bitten by a tick or mosquito. (There is no proof that mosquito's can transfer Lyme Disease to humans, although there is proof that mosquito's are carriers of the disease and I know people who have received a bulls eye rash from a mosquito). Here is a very informational article about Lyme Disease and Borrelia bacteria.

The first thing to know about avoiding tick bites this summer is that ticks love wood. This means that sitting on wood park benches or playing on wood equipment can transfer ticks to you. You may want to avoid such activities to avoid tick bites.

Another tip to avoiding ticks is to stay out of the woods. These critters (big & small) love the woods and tall grass. If you avoid these areas, it is very likely they won't bite you. You can also avoid ticks by preventing your kids from corn de-tasseling this summer. Ticks hide in the tall corn. It is similar to tall grass.

One of my favorite tips to avoiding tick and mosquito bites is to eat garlic. I read that if you swallow whole, fresh garlic cloves (not cooked), ticks and mosquito's won't bite you. This is a healthy pest repellent. Plus, swallowing whole garlic cloves is good for you. This is a theory I plan to try this summer. I may not have any friends this summer, but I won't have mosquito friends either!

Some people suggest that wearing long pants, and long sleeves or sweat pants and socks is a way to avoid ticks. Our research on this suggests that wearing long pants and sweat pants only minimally prevents ticks from biting you as they can creep up under your clothing.

I have also read that an all natural insect repellent (written about in the recent June 2007 issue of "All You" magazine) is to hang plastic freezer bags outdoors (around the area you plan to be) filled halfway full with water. Supposedly this will keep the insects away. I would think that this would attract mosquitos since they like water, but perhaps I am wrong. It is worth a try anyway. This method will not keep ticks away, but it might help you avoid other insects.

"All You" magazine also recommends putting a couple drops of peppermint oil in a burning candle for a natural insect repellent.

On the Eartheasy website, they recommend throwing a little sage or rosemary on the coals if you are having a barbeque. This is supposed to keep the mosuitos away. They also recommend a natural insect repellent of 1 part garlic juice and 5 parts water (shake well). Click here to find out more about their tips for natural mosquito repellant.

An Associated Content Producer, Bartleby, recommends several options for homemade mosquite repellant including eucalyptus, lemon balm and garlic. If you are inviting friends over, you may want to be cautious with using eucalyptus as many people have severe allergies to it.

If you are bite by a mosquito this summer, Associated Content producer, Kristie Leong M.D. has some tips for treating a mosquito bite.

If you are bitten by a tick, you can receive one (or many) of about 200 different bacteria strains. Because of this, it is a good idea to ensure that your family is safe this summer. In another article I write, I will share with you the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease. I will also write an article on treating Lyme Disease and why it is not as easy to treat as people currently believe it to be.

Tick bites and mosquito bites are threatening to your families health. Because of this, we need to take precautions to having a safe and healthy summer. These suggestions will help you enjoy the outdoors with caution. If you have any questions about Lyme Disease, I welcome e-mails. I would be happy to help provide you with more information about the disease. I will either reply to you or I will write an article about a specific question if several people show interest in knowing more about it.

Have a Safe & Fun-Filled Summer!