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Mosquitos, skeeters and ticks targeting you tonight

Mosquitos, skeeters and ticks targeting you tonight

You've probably noticed your yard is full of mosquitoes in the evening, but they're not the only bugs carrying dangerous diseases you need to be concerned about.

Skeeters and ticks can also target you.


"The mosquitoes are thick as you get near the river. You just run through packs of mosquitos, breathe them in as you're running," said McMullen.

One boy KCCI's Cynthia Fodor talked to Monday counted 14 bites from being outside last night.

What is the best way to protect yourself from all the various varieties of bugs? Grab some DEET or N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, state health officials said.

Dr. Ann Garvey of the Iowa Department of Public Health is just starting surveillance for the deadly diseases mosquitos can carry.

"There are chicken flocks we test regularly for the West Nile Virus," said Garvey.

Experts said that if you do find a tick on your body, use tweezers to pull it out gently if it's embedded.

DEET will also protect you from ticks which can also infect you leaving you with a bullseye rash, headaches and fever.

Last year, Iowa had 163 cases of Lyme disease from ticks and 31 cases of West Nile from mosquitoes. If you've been bitten and develop flu-like symptoms, go see your doctor.

Wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors between dawn and dusk can also help protect you.