Category Archives: Health/Disease

Tick bites are more than just an annoyance, they are potentially dangerous for humans and pets. Ticks are known transmitters of various illnesses, such as Lyme disease, which has been the most commonly encountered tick-borne illness in Connecticut.  While many precautions can be taken to avoid contact with ticks, sometimes, people do get bitten by them regardless. Here are the major steps to take if you should, unfortunately, have an encounter with a tick.

Finding and Removing a Tick

First, remove the tick.  If the tick is not yet attached and just on the skin, simply remove it and dispose of the tick, as they can only spread disease to humans when they attach to the body and bite.

If the tick is attached, it will be more work to remove it. There are many at home remedies on how to remove ticks, but these methods have been proven ineffective and potentially dangerous. They can agitate the tick, causing it to burrow deeper into the skin. There is only one proper way to remove a tick, according to experts. Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and firmly grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, being careful not to squeeze the tick’s body. The tick should pull away from the skin, which will form a “tent like” appearance when the insect is being removed. With luck, the whole tick will be removed, but if any parts are left behind, leave them alone to avoid further irritating the area.

What to do Once the Tick is Removed

Once the tick is removed, it can be disposed by placing in a sealed container or Ziplock™ bag, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. The skin should be cleaned gently with rubbing alcohol as well as soap and water, then watched for any signs of infection. For example, one of the first signs of Lyme Disease is a circular rash that is clear in the center and gets progressively more red in color as the circle expands. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, or fatigue.

Doctors say…

Most doctors will recommend a course of antibiotics for someone who has been bitten by a tick as a preventative measure. When taken right away, the antibiotics can help prevent Lyme disease from developing. While there are blood tests for Lyme disease, they are not effective for two to six weeks after the person is bitten. Therefore, if you or someone you know has been bitten, it is best to monitor their health for any signs of illness.

It does take a little bit of time to contract a disease from a tick bite. The tick must start feeding, as doing so releases an organism into their saliva that is transmitted to the host. However, according to the CDC, this can take as many as 48hours or more from when the tick attaches to the host – which is a relief for many people who find an attached tick on their body. This does not mean there is no risk of illness – it just means chances decrease if the tick is found and removed within that time frame.

How Mosquito Joe Can Help

Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT helps Fairfield County and Western New Haven residents add an extra layer of defense with our barrier and all-natural tick, mosquito, and flea control treatments. Don’t get ticked off this season, instead enjoy your yard worry-free with Mosquito Joe! Reach out to us today at 203-890-0034 to arrange your first service.

Itching and Scratching

When you get a mosquito bite, the first impulse is to scratch it – and that’s the last thing you should do. The reason mosquito bites itch is because the mosquitoes release an anticoagulant and proteins when they bite the skin. These proteins are foreign to our bodies and cause a histamine reaction, which will always itch. Scratching the bites, as much as you may want to, will just irritate the skin more. As a general – and first – rule, don’t scratch those annoying bites! Instead, try one of these home remedies.

Home Remedies

There are plenty of remedies that can be found around the house to deal with the itching and burning of mosquito bites. They all work to different degrees and the effectiveness tends to depend on the person, as everyone has different body chemistry. If you have any of these common household items, they’re definitely worth a try to alleviate that irritating bite.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is especially effective on a fresh bite, as the alcohol will clean the bite and it has a cooling effect. You do not need to use much; just enough to cover the bite. Alcohol can be drying to the skin, so for this reason, do not apply it frequently.

Toothpaste

This may sound strange, but apply some regular toothpaste to the bite and let it dry. It will not only help stop the itch, but it will also form a protective barrier over the bite to prevent it from coming in contact with other irritants. It will also make the bite much more difficult to scratch if you get the urge!

Oatmeal

Not the sugary sweet kind that you have for breakfast, but rather, plain oatmeal. Just add some to a bath if you have many bites (oatmeal baths are also commonly used for chicken pox and other skin rashes) or make a small batch of paste to apply to single bites. Mix together equal amounts of oatmeal and water to make a paste. Then, simply apply it using a washcloth or your fingers, and wash it off after fifteen minutes for the best outcome.

Basil

It’s not just for spaghetti sauce… Basil has naturally occurring chemicals that help treat itchy skin and is an excellent choice for a home mosquito bite remedy. You can use basil oil, rub fresh basil leaves on the affected area, or make a tincture by boiling two cups of water and adding ½ ounce of dry basil leaves. Make sure the tincture has cooled before putting it on your skin!

Baking Soda

Much like with oatmeal, you make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda (you only need approximately 1 tablespoon) and apply it to any bites you have. Leave it on for about ten minutes and then wash it off – sooner if any further skin irritation occurs.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a lovely houseplant that happens to have a cooling gel inside of each one of the plant’s thick leaves. The gel can be used for cuts as well as bites because it has anti-inflammatory properties. Cut off a small piece of the plant and rub the gel found inside on the bite. It will help it to heal and calm the itch (and yes, the plant will recover and continue to thrive after that piece is used). You can use more gel from the plant as needed to soothe the bite, as it is also an excellent skin moisturizer.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can be purchased over the counter. It is used to soothe cuts, scrapes, and of course, mosquito bites. Dab a cotton ball in the witch hazel and swipe it over the bite. Once dried, this can be repeated as often as necessary to soothe the itch of mosquito bites and help them to heal.

There is a myriad of other home remedies that people swear by, such as honey, tea bags, garlic, onions, ice – and many more. If your family has had a remedy handed down through the generations, it is definitely worth trying in addition to our suggestions! To help control the mosquito population and enjoy your yard or deck bite-free, be sure to call Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT at 203-890-0034 for a free quote.

After a relatively mild winter followed by a rainy, wet spring, conditions are perfect for mosquitoes to thrive in the state of Connecticut this summer. Mosquitoes are more than just irritating, they also can transmit mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus. West Nile virus season starts in July and can continue through early October. With mosquitoes being most active in July and August, it is important to have a protection plan in place for you and your family.

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne illness in the United States and is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes themselves become infected when they feed on an infected bird Although most people do not feel sick when they contract the disease, about one in five will run a fever and be fatigued. One in 150 will develop a more serious illness, per the Center for Disease Control. There is currently no vaccine for the virus, nor is there a medication people can take when they contract it. Most people take over the counter medications to relieve aches and pains, and some doctors may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection or complications. Nonetheless, there is no cure. The best way to avoid West Nile transmission
is to not get bitten by mosquitoes in the first place.

West Nile Virus in Connecticut

In 2018, the West Nile Virus was a significant threat in the state, particularly in Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven Counties. Last year, there were 23 cases of the virus in the state of Connecticut – and one was even deadly. This year, the state is already checking for incidences of the virus as of June. According to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health, as of the end of June 2019, no West Nile virus cases have been reported in Connecticut. The disease tends to rear its head in the latter part of the summer, but it is never too soon to begin engaging in preventative measures. This way, you can enjoy the outdoors – worry-free.

Tips to Reduce Mosquito Populations in Your Yard

• Eliminate any sources of standing water.
• Empty bird baths, children’s toys, kiddie pools, tire swings, and gardening containers like watering cans and empty pots.
• Regularly clean gutters and check for clogs from leaves so rainwater doesn’t pool.
• Drill holes in tire swings, trash cans, or recycling bins, so water will drain out.
• Use soil to fill in low areas and landscaped areas where rainwater may collect and stand.
• Keep swimming pools clean, circulating, and filtered. Mosquitoes cannot breed in chlorinated water.
• Repair any leaks in outdoor faucets or hoses.
• Keep grass and shrubs cut short, as adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady, cool areas.
• Professional mosquito control treatment is a great way to keep your yard protected.

What Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT Can Do For You

Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT offers effective mosquito barrier treatments that eliminate pesky mosquitoes for up to 21 days! Our trained and licensed technicians apply an effective barrier treatment that targets shrubs and plants around your yard. This both kills mosquitoes and larvae on contact and then acts as a repellent for up to three weeks*. After a short wait of 30 minutes your yard is ready for some outdoor fun!

Call Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT today to discuss the mosquito activity in your backyard and how we can help you enjoy your summer days and nights without being pestered by the particularly active mosquito population this summer.

*All-Natural treatments remain active for approximately two weeks per application.