As the weather starts warming up, biting and stinging insects will make their return. Biting insects like Mosquitoes and Ticks may carry diseases like West Nile, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and in warmer tropical climates can carry other diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Zika etc. Mosquitoes and ticks live in darker most areas, like wooded areas, marshes and grassy fields. Prevention is the best way to prevent these illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control recommends elimination of standing water where mosquitoes may breed, wearing loose light colored long sleeved shirts and long pants when out at dusk, hiking in woods or walking in fields, performing skin checks prior to returning back into the house and checking animals for ticks. In addition, deterrents like Deet are important. Currently products with less than 30% Deet are safe for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends spraying your child’s clothes and avoiding hands, feet and faces. Prior to travel, you can check with the office to see if there are additional travel recommendations for your vacation to prevent any of these illnesses. For more information please visit: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/Insect-Repellents.aspx https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/