KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It may not feel like summer yet, but local officials say it isn’t all sunshine and sandy beaches when it arrives. It also means insects and diseases to worry about.
The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department has reissued its advisories about ticks and mosquitoes and particularly concerns about Lyme disease, cases of which have tripled in the last five years in Kalamazoo County.
Portage city council member Jihan Young, a member of the Environmental Health Board, says anyone with kids who play outdoors or for those who take walks outside, need to know how to protect themselves, and screen for ticks.
The wet spring may have helped boost populations, particularly of mosquitoes, which can now carry a variety of viruses.
Wear light clothing and long sleeves, use insect repellants that contain Deet, and remove standing water from your yard.
You can find a lot of good information at the County Health and Community Service Department’s website.
Maybe we should get rid of or modify the “No Mow May” project. Allowing lawns to grow unchecked during the month of May only increases habitat for fleas and ticks. If you raise your mower a little higher than normal, you can get above the majority of the dandelions and other low growing flowering plant but still keep a decent looking lawn that is not creating a better hiding place for the aforementioned insects. Plus, it is better for your lawn to mow it higher. It encourages deeper root growth, improves drought resistance, reduces lawn stress, reduces weed growth, provides a healthier soil biology with less chance of scalping, soil erosion and runoff and can reduce mowing frequency to some extent. All things that will help dandelion growth for the bees as well. Please be smarter than the catchy slogans people like to get behind and do your own research.