Pests in the Workplace

Ticks are tiny bugs, which are related to mites, spiders, and scorpions. They live in tall grass, shrubs, leaves, and wooded areas. They’re usually active in the months of April through October, peaking in the summer months of June through August — just about the time you’re working on that outdoor production!

Blacklegged ticks, often called Deer ticks, may carry Lyme disease, which can cause serious health issues if untreated.

Prevent

The best way to stay safe is prevention. Follow these tips when working outside in areas where ticks can be found:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants (light coloured is best)
• Tuck your shirt into your pants, and your pants into your socks (if that doesn’t work with your costume, consider wearing something underneath that allows you to do so)
• Wear closed-toe shoes
• Use bug spray with DEET or Icaridin (always follow label directions)
• Walk on cleared paths (or at least avoid tall grass)
• Shower or bathe as soon as possible after being outdoors
• Put your clothes/costume in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes

Check

Tick checks are one of the ways you can prevent Lyme disease and other infections spread by ticks. Check your entire body, especially:

• head and hair
• in and around the ears
• under the arms
• around the chest
• back (use a mirror or ask for help)
• waist
• belly button
• around the groin
• legs and behind the knees
• between the toes

What should I do if a tick bites me?

• Use clean fine-point tweezers to immediately remove attached ticks:
  Grasp the tick’s head as close to your skin as possible. Slowly pull it straight out. Try not to twist, squeeze, or crush the tick. If parts of the tick’s mouth break off and remain in your skin, remove them with the tweezers. If you can’t remove the mouthparts, leave them alone, and let your skin heal.
• Wash the bite area with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Keep the tick in a closed container or take a clear picture of it to send to your health care provider.
• Contact your health care provider if you’re not feeling well or if you are concerned after being bitten by a tick.

Identifying Lyme disease in its early stages is very important. In most cases, if caught early, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Symptoms typically occur 3 to 30 days after you’ve been bitten. They can differ from person to person and could include any of the following:

• Rash (sometimes shaped like a bull’s eye)
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Aching muscles and joints
• Swollen lymph nodes

While we’re all familiar with mosquitoes (and how annoying they can be), it’s important to remember the danger they pose in carrying infectious diseases, including West Nile Virus.

Standing water is a common breeding ground for mosquitoes, and they are typically active from May to September, depending on the geographic region.

Prevent

The best way to stay safe is prevention. Follow these tips when working outside in areas where mosquitoes can be found:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants (light coloured is best)
• Use bug spray with DEET or Icaridin (always follow label directions)
• Apply approved insect repellent repellent on exposed skin as well as the outside of clothing, because some mosquitoes can bite through clothes

What should I do if a mosquito bites me?

Try not to scratch — damaging your skin from scratching can lead to an infection (also, the more you scratch, the more it’ll itch!). To reduce the itch:

• Try washing the bite with cool water and soap
• Apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Apply an anti-itch cream
• Use a cool compress like an ice pack
• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine

If you’re not sure which is for you, talk to your health-care provider.

West Nile Virus is present in Canada, but the risk is usually low. What’s more, most people (70% to 80%) who are infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. Mild symptoms that occur can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Mild rash
• Swollen lymph glands
• Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 15 days after infection

Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. They are easily moved from room to room on infested objects. Bedbugs don’t carry disease, but they can be an annoyance because their bites may cause itching and loss of sleep, or an allergic reaction, which can be serious for some people.

Prevent

Bedbugs can easily hide in furniture, luggage, clothing, and other items such as props (e.g. an old book) or drapes. Here are some tips to consider:

• Take a close look at electrical outlets, light switches, phones and clocks, as well as rugs or drapes
• Check furniture, including zippers, seams, frames, and cushions using something with a hard corner or edge, like a credit card
• Check behind paintings, posters, mirrors, as well as around mouldings, trim, baseboards and window frames
• Check cracks in plaster and peeling wallpaper
• When travelling, don’t put your luggage down on the floor or on the bed – put it in the bath tub, or on the luggage rack

What should I do if a bedbug bites me?

A bedbug bite can take as long as 14 days to appear, depending on the person. While bites can happen anywhere on the skin, they are often found on the face, neck, arms, legs, and chest.

Some people do not react at all to the bites, while others may have small skin reactions.

To avoid infection, try not to scratch the bites and keep the bite sites clean. Using antiseptic creams or lotions, as well as antihistamines, may help. Talk to your health care provider for advice.