Phone: 315-786-3730
Fax: 315-779-8607
Vectors are mosquitoes or ticks that can spread pathogens (germs) through their bite. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites and tick bites will help lower your risk of getting a vector-borne disease; such as Lyme Disease or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Prevent mosquito bites:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
- Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill mosquitoes
- Cover skin with long sleeved shirts & pants
- Control mosquitoes indoors and outside
- use screens on windows & doors to keep mosquitoes out
- empty standing water around your home (in old tires, planters, pools, trash cans, etc.)
Prevent tick bites:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to cover your skin. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting onto your skin.
- Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill ticks
- Shower after coming indoors to remove any unattached ticks
- Do a daily tick check. If there is an attached tick, you want to find it quickly and remove it right away - before it transmits infection
Additional Information
NYSDOH Ticks webpage
NYSDOH Mosquitoes webpage
Factsheet: What to do after a tick bite
TickEncounter: The University of Rhode Island
Upstate Tick Testing Laboratory