Insect Invasion – Tips to Avoid the Bite when Walking in the USA
When summer rolls over the horizon, there’s no better place to go walking in the great outdoors than in the wilderness of the USA. Whether you choose to go walking along the plains of Wyoming, the deserts of Texas, or on a trek through Colorado’s forests, there are plenty of wide open vistas to enjoy in the USA, and plenty of routes to choose from. However, the more often you get out and the longer you spend hiking the trails, the more likely you are to run into the more irritating creatures of the wilderness – such as ticks, mosquitoes and the like. Here are a few tips to consider when walking USA woodlands and forests, in order to avoid the worst of the irritants living there!
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are definitely an annoyance no matter where you are in the world – but in the USA, it’s especially important to protect against the bites of mosquitoes that carry ‘West Nile’. This is a disease that arrived in the USA in 1999 and spread nationwide, with Illinois and New York showing the highest proportion of cases. Although the virus is only a minor problem in most cases that present in people who have been walking USA trails, you’d certainly rather enjoy a walking holiday without a rash or a headache! To defend yourself from mosquito bites while out walking, make sure to wear long-sleeved shirts while in heavily wooded or swampland areas, and always use a good insect repellent. For holidays that include camping as well as walking, USA camping stores will sell bug zappers, which are cheap, light to carry, and can be a great benefit in keeping unwanted mosquitoes away from a tent.
Ticks
Although you may associate the presence of ticks with animals, these little pests can attach themselves to people as well when walking in forested areas or even tall grassland. Humans will present with similar symptoms to those that occur in pets or farmyard animals. Ticks are prevalent in several states across the USA. Although in the USA they are known to be carriers of illnesses such as Lyme disease (with symptoms such as a target-shaped rash and other assorted flu-like symptoms) and parasites such as Babesiosis (that can cause fever and fatigue), a tick must bite someone for several hours before any disease or parasites can be transmitted. Check for ticks and shower after being outside for long stretches to prevent any unforeseen consequences while walking. USA camping trips and hikes of longer duration are prone to the risk of ticks; stay alert, but take heart – ticks are easily removed with tweezers.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. For a holiday walking, USA tours offer scenic locations & stunning landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries.
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