Below is the Chautauqua County “Fight A Bite!” brochure created by the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services Environmental Health Division to educate the local public about reducing our risks of mosquito or tick bites that can lead to serious illness. You can also open the full-size PDF version by clicking here and save it if you like.
The brochure provides information on ticks and mosquitoes, repellents and how to use them, tick removal techniques and general safety information. I recommend reading over it if you live anywhere in the Northeast as it provides a strong summation of many things we should all keep in mind. Last year Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus were found in Chautauqua County and Lyme Disease can be found rarely as well. While these should not deter us from venturing outdoors we should always be vigilant and mindful when spending time outside.
These diseases are found less frequently in Chautauqua County than in Connecticut where both Twan and I contracted Lyme Disease with a far more abundant tick population. Always try to cover up as much of yourself as you can while outside from now through the first few frosts later this fall and be mindful of any warm periods even in the middle of the winter. Check yourself from head to toe when you return indoors. Another family member or a mirror can help a lot. This is the only way you can be sure to be free of ticks and even then it can be very difficult! I’ll write more on this in an upcoming post.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
