Animal and insect safety

RSS

The most common summer pest? The mosquito. A dozen of the more than 200 types found in the United States and its territories can spread viruses such as West Nile, Zika and chikungunya to people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Topical insect repellents containing DEET are popular and have been shown to be effective. The concentration of DEET in a product reflects the period of time it’s expected to be effective.

Exposure to poisonous plants and venomous animals are common summertime hazards for outdoor workers.

You probably know about Lyme disease, and that it’s transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. But have you heard of alpha-gal syndrome?

Outdoor workers are unique in that they regularly share their workspaces with wasps, bees, hornets and other stinging insects. It’s important for workers to know how to respond to and treat stings, especially because some people may be allergic.

Ticks can carry potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. Most active during warmer months (April-September), they reside mostly in grassy, brushy or wooded areas – putting virtually all outdoor workers in the United States at risk of exposure.

For some workers, mosquitoes are an on-the-job hazard. That’s because some mosquitoes carry diseases – such as Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue and malaria – that can be transmitted to people.

Outdoor workers face a variety of hazards on the job. Beyond the usual suspects – severe weather, extreme temperatures, and traffic – an additional concern may be present: ticks.