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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 28 2007 : 10:43:51 AM
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Originally from Europe, these little buggers have been finding their way through the Midwest. They don't cause any serious problems. But I thought the following information from Argonne National Lab, where my husband works, would be useful for anyone working or enjoying the great outdoors. The following describes how the bites look. These little buggers do not play fair, they can only be seen through a microscope. They take up to 4 hours to bite you after landing on you or your clothing.
Below is the bulletin ANL put out:
In some cases, the rashes can look like the bullseye-shaped Lyme Disease rash. Employees who develop rashes during work hours can visit the Argonne Medical Department. Individuals with severe cases should consult their personal physicians.
Anti-itch cream can help reduce the symptoms and prevent heavy scratching that can worsen the condition and cause infection.
DEET-based repellents provide protection from mites. A change of clothing and a hot, soapy shower after working outdoors — especially around oak trees — can help reduce bites. Spraying insecticides in the environment does not appear to help.
Persons working in gardens or yards should handle clippings and fallen leaves with gloves. Those who live in areas where oaks predominate should keep windows closed.
Historically, cooler temperatures and moist conditions have led to increased mite populations.
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These little buggers just started appearing here in IL, perhaps the NE or KS farmgirls have more information since their states were the first to get hit two years ago.
Dawn in IL |
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Itch Mites - FYI
