August means more time on porches, working in the garden, and getting fresh air on neighborhood walks, all wonderful for seniors’ mood and mobility. But late summer is also peak season for mosquitoes and ticks in Lake County. Older adults can suffer more severe complications from vector-borne illnesses and from secondary issues (infected bites, falls after itching), so a few simple, routine steps help keep outdoor time safe and enjoyable.
Why this matters in Lake County
Lake County actively monitors mosquito and tick activity each summer; the county has confirmed mosquito pools and reported human West Nile virus cases in 2025, so local vigilance matters. Ticks in Lake County (including deer ticks) can transmit Lyme disease and other infections prevention is the easiest way to reduce risk for older adults.
1) Personal protection: repellents, clothing, and treated fabrics
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent for outdoor time. Ingredients like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD) are proven choices; the EPA’s repellent search tool can help you pick the right product. Always follow the product label for application and re-application. (US EPA)
- Best DEET Product: Deep Woods Off - Dry
- Best non-DEET Product: Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
- Dress defensively: lightweight long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tucking pant legs into socks helps keep ticks off clothing when walking through grassy or brushy areas.
- For added protection, consider permethrin-treated clothing or treating outdoor gear and shoes with permethrin (apply to fabric only, do not put permethrin on skin). Treated clothing is especially effective at preventing tick bites.
Practical note: If a senior has sensitive skin, cognitive impairment, or complex medication regimens, check the product label and consult their clinician before starting a new repellent.
2) Timing and route: plan safer outings
- Mosquitoes bite most at dawn and dusk. When possible, schedule walks and gardening for mid-morning or early evening to avoid the peak mosquito windows.
- Stick to the middle of maintained paths; avoid tall grass, leaf litter, and brushy edges where ticks wait for passing hosts.
3) Yard and home fixes that cut mosquito and tick habitat
- Eliminate standing water around the property, empty plant saucers, cover or clean birdbaths, keep gutters clear, and turn over containers that collect rainwater. Even small puddles are mosquito nurseries.
- For ticks: keep the lawn mowed, clear leaf litter and brush from play/walking areas, store firewood off the ground, and consider a gravel or wood-chip buffer between the yard and nearby wooded areas. Lake County publishes seasonal guidance and surveillance information worth checking before planning large outdoor gatherings, check their page here for seasonal alerts.
4) Tick checks and safe removal
- After any outdoor time, perform a full-body tick check (under arms, behind knees, in hair, at waistline). Have a helper check hard-to-see areas for seniors with limited mobility.
- If you find an attached tick, remove it right away with fine-tipped tweezers: grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist, burn, or use household remedies (these can increase infection risk). Clean the bite and your hands after removal. If possible, save the tick in a sealed container, some local clinics or health departments can advise about testing. For detailed tick removal guide visit the CDC webpage.
5) When to call the healthcare provider
- Contact the senior’s provider if a rash appears (including a “bull’s-eye”), fever or flu-like symptoms develop, the tick was attached for many hours and you’re unsure of the species, or the person generally feels unwell in the weeks after a bite. For signs of serious mosquito-borne illness (high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion), seek urgent care. Prompt diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce complications.
- See this brochure from the CDC for more information about Lymes Disease
Quick caregiver checklist
- Keep an EPA-registered repellent on hand and apply as directed.
- Dress for protection: lightweight long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes.
- Do a tick check after outdoor time; remove attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers.
- Empty standing water and clean birdbaths weekly.
- Mow grass, clear leaf litter, and create tidy yard edges.
- Seal and save any found tick in a sealed bag if possible; call the provider if symptoms appear.
Local resources
Keep an eye on Lake County Health Department updates for seasonal mosquito testing, West Nile notices, and tick information. The Lake County Forest Preserves also provide useful identification and prevention resources for local tick species. (Lake County Forest Preserves)
How Homewatch CareGivers of Libertyville can help
If you care for an older adult in Libertyville or anywhere in Lake County, Homewatch CareGivers of Libertyville can help reduce mosquito and tick risks and make outdoor time safer and more relaxed. Our caregivers can provide home-prep tasks (emptying standing water, light yard checks), safe outdoor accompaniment, medication and hydration reminders after outings, and regular wellness check-ins. Call our Libertyville office at 847-503-9639or visit our website to learn how we can support you and schedule a free in-home consultation.