With warmer weather settling in across the state, the Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding residents to take steps to prevent tick and mosquito bites when spending time outdoors.
State officials said avoiding bites is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, as well as mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
Rhode Island recorded 2,565 cases of Lyme disease in 2024, according to the department, with Washington County continuing to have the highest rate of Lyme disease in the state.
Preventing tick bites
The department recommends a three-step approach: repel, check and remove.
Residents are encouraged to use repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing, following all product instructions. DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months and should be kept away from children’s hands, eyes and mouths. A list of EPA-approved repellents is available at epa.gov/insect-repellents.
Other prevention measures include avoiding wooded and brushy areas with high grass, walking in the center of trails, wearing long sleeves and long pants, tucking pants into socks, and choosing light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot. Clothing and shoes can also be treated with permethrin, which should not be applied to skin.
After spending time outdoors, the department advises showering as soon as possible and conducting a full-body tick check using a mirror. Parents should check children carefully, paying close attention to the ears, belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and in the hair. Pets should also be inspected, as they can carry ticks indoors.
If a tick is found, officials recommend removing it with tweezers by grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up. A tick removal spoon, or fingers protected by a tissue or rubber gloves, can be used if tweezers are unavailable.
Most people who contract Lyme disease develop a rash, often resembling a bull’s-eye, though it may not appear immediately. Other symptoms can include headaches, fever, body aches, fatigue, joint pain, a stiff neck, shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, facial drooping from nerve palsy, and in some cases heart problems. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Preventing mosquito bites
To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness, the department recommends installing or repairing screens on windows and doors, and considering rescheduling outdoor activities at sunrise and sundown, when mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus are most active.
Approved bug sprays include those containing DEET (20% to 30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane. Mosquito netting is recommended for playpens and baby carriages.
Standing water is a key breeding ground, with officials noting that even a single cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. Residents are encouraged to clean gutters and downspouts, empty unused pools, planters, boats, tires and trash and recycling bins, and to clean birdbaths at least twice a week. Shallow water on top of pool covers can be treated with larvicide products such as Mosquito Dunks, available at hardware and garden stores.
More information on tick-borne diseases is available at health.ri.gov/ticks, and information on mosquito-borne diseases can be found at health.ri.gov/mosquitoes.
