Lee Haines, University of Notre Dame – Mosquitoes and Ticks

Mosquitos and ticks are parts of the summer, so how do we best avoid them?

Lee Haines, associate research professor in Medical Entomology at the University of Notre Dame, discusses.

Lee Haines is a researcher with a PhD in Tropical Medicine and an MSc in Parasite Biochemistry and Microbiology, who specializes in diseases transmitted by arthropods. Her work delves into the intricate relationships between insects, their microbiota, and the pathogens they spread, covering projects from basic to translational science. With over 20 years of experience managing large insect colonies, she has garnered adeep understanding of insect biology and disease transmission.

Beyond research, Lee is a passionate science communicator, engaging in public seminars, social mobility youth workshops, sciart collaborations, podcasts, and radio interviews to inspire awe and respect for insects and microbes. She believes in the power of storytelling to inspire curiosity about the natural world, particularly the often-misunderstood realm of insects and microbes. Science has the ability to connect the past, present, and future, and by co-creating with artists, scientific messages can transcend boundaries to create spaces where knowledge exchange, scientific trust and creativity can flourish.

Mosquitoes and Ticks

Mosquito and tick-borne diseases pose genuine risks to Americans. In the United States, mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, Dengue fever and even malaria, although most of the time they are just irritating nuisance biters. However, black-legged ticks are now causing more than 80,000 cases of human Lyme disease every year.

A new threat, arising from a Lone Star tick bite, can transform steak lovers into reluctant vegetarians.  This tick’s saliva can trigger a dangerous allergy to red meat called alpha-gal syndrome. Living with alpha-gal syndrome is particularly challenging because avoiding meat products is not easy as they can be hidden in unexpected places like vitamin gummies, desserts, and medications.

Protecting yourself from these biting bloodsuckers starts with using a good insect repellent. Products containing 25-30% DEET repel both mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours. There are also good alternatives to DEET such as 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus or 20% picaridin.

In addition to using repellent, eliminate all your open water containers, such as bird baths and plant dishes, so mosquitoes have no place to lay their eggs. For ticks, routinely check your skin for hitchhikers, especially after walking near fallen oak leaves and tall grasses.

Adopting these precautions could significantly reduce your risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes and ticks this summer.