variety of worms and insects largely because of the aroma
they produce. A few strategically placed plants can help
create an insect free zone.
•
Choose your clothing wisely. Your best protection
comes from wearing a long sleeve shirt, pants, gloves, boots,
and a hat. When it’s too hot outside to cover up from head
to toe choose light-colored clothing. Insects such as black
flies and mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors so
wear white, yellow, baby blue, or other bright colors when
going outside. A shoulder-length headnet (available at
many popular department stores) will also provide excellent
protection.
When Bugs Bite
If you spend any amount of time outside, chances are you’ll
get a bug bite at some point. Generally, this is nothing more
than an itchy reminder that the great outdoors is a bug’s
world. Mild reactions to bites and stings often include slight
swelling, itching, and redness. In these cases, home treatment
is usually all that is required: wash the bite area, apply an
ice pack to reduce swelling, and/or use an over-the-counter
medicine like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to
relieve itching.
For people who have a sensitivity or allergy to the toxins
released by biting or stinging insects, the reaction can be
more severe. This may include difficulty breathing, nausea,
hives, stomach cramps, and significant swelling. Sometimes
serious reactions are delayed. For example, the fever, rash,
and joint pain often associated with Lyme disease, a disease
transmitted by ticks, can take several days or weeks to appear.
Remember, some insects are disease carriers transmitting
everything from malaria to West Nile Virus. It’s important
that you seek medical advice if a bug bite or sting causes you
significant pain, appears infected, does not heal, or leads to
any other severe reaction.
Your “LOCAL” choice for payroll processing
Curt Paterson
President
[email protected]
Hopefully, this information will help you enjoy nature despite
the bugs that bug you. And don’t forget to share these tips
the next time you see someone doing the Black Fly Boogie or
Mosquito Mash!
Sources:
Maine
Forestry
Service;
www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/
FactSheets_new.htm
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; www.dnr.state.
mn.us/young_naturalists/ants/index.html
National Public Radio; www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135468567/
repelling-bugs-with-the-essence-of-grapefruit
WebMD; www.webmd.com
P.O. Box 189
Presque Isle, Me 04769-0189
Tel: (207) 764-6945
Fax: (207) 433-1099
www.patersonpayroll.com
Maine’s Platinum Trollbeads Dealer
Clogs, Jewelry, Table Linens, Swedish Specialty Foods
Scandinavian Sweaters, Crystal, Dinnerware, Bridal Registry
www.monicasimports.com
176 Sweden Street, Caribou, Me 04736
Tel / Fax: (207) 493-4600
Healthy You is a free community program from Cary Medical
Center that addresses your overall well-being including
physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. For
program information or calendar of events, log on to www.
carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical Center’s Public
Relations Department at 498-1361.
SUMMER 2011 County Health 61