Staying safe from ticks and mosquitoes this summer

There’s a lot to love about a July afternoon outdoors — a walk through the woods, an evening on the porch, an hour pulling weeds in the garden. But two of summer’s smallest creatures, ticks and mosquitoes, can turn a good day into a health worry. And if you’re over 50, they’re worth paying a little extra attention to.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay indoors to stay safe. A few simple habits are enough to keep enjoying the season while lowering your risk.

Why this matters more as we age

Ticks can carry Lyme disease, and mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Most bites lead to nothing at all. But when these infections do take hold, adults over 50 are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill,  which is exactly why a little prevention goes a long way.

There’s another wrinkle worth knowing about. Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose, because its symptoms vary from person to person and can look a lot like other common conditions,  something that’s especially true in older adults. That’s part of why catching it early matters so much: when Lyme disease is found and treated early with antibiotics, it can prevent complications and lead to a smoother recovery.

Simple ways to protect yourself outdoors

None of these ask you to give up the activities you enjoy. They just stack the odds in your favour:

• Cover up in grassy or wooded areas. Long sleeves and long pants give ticks less skin to reach. Light colours also make a stray tick easier to spot.
• Stick to the centre of the path. Ticks wait on tall grass and brush at the edges of trails, so walking down the middle keeps you clear of them.
• Use an approved insect repellent. This is one of the most effective steps against both ticks and mosquitoes. Follow the directions on the label.
• Do a “tick check” when you come inside. Take a few minutes to look yourself over — including harder-to-see spots — and shower if you can. Showering helps wash off ticks that haven’t yet attached.

Know the early signs

Because early treatment makes such a difference, it’s worth knowing what to watch for after time outdoors. If you develop a rash, fever, headache, unusual tiredness, or aches and pains in the days or weeks following a bite, check in with your health care provider — and mention that you’ve spent time outdoors. It’s a small detail that can help point them in the right direction.

Ticks and mosquitoes shouldn’t keep you off the trail or out of the garden. Cover up, stay to the middle of the path, use repellent, and do a quick check when you head inside. With those habits in your back pocket, you can spend the rest of summer doing what you love, with a lot less to worry about.

McMaster Optimal Aging Blog Posts are written by faculty, staff, PhD students, and external collaborators, and are assessed for accuracy by members of the Portal scientific leadership team.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).