Outdoor Workers Be Wary of Insects

Many insects benefit from a warmer winter and early spring, resulting in higher mosquito populations than normal, says Insect Shield President Jason Griffin. “The mosquito is the world’s deadliest animal,” he says. “In the U.S., Lyme disease is the highest risk, but other tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis and erhlichiosis all pose significant threats.” The forestry industry, mining companies, and oil and gas companies have a large proportion of their workforce operating outdoors and need to take extra precautions against insects. Permethrin treatment of clothing, either done at home or bought, provides passive insect protection that does not need to be reapplied throughout the day, Griffin suggests. DEET-based repellent is also effective but may be limited to a few hours so reapplying it is vital. When it is practical, insect control at work sites can be very effective. Always choose insect repellents that have been registered by the EPA, he adds. Not only should outdoor workers be wary, but the general public should as well. For more information, click here.