Bites and stings

 

Scorpions:

• Check your home to see if you have scorpions, including your child's room and bedding (use a black light during the night.) 
• If you have scorpions, you will need to start a search and destroy mission. 
• Keeping the bed away from the wall, making sure that the covers don't reach the floor, and putting the legs of the crib in glass/plastic jars can help.
• Use a lightweight piece of cardboard or foam core board one size larger than the crib and hang it several inches from the ceiling to serve as a scorpion shield, preventing scorpions from dropping into the child's crib.

 

Spiders:

• Learn to recognize the messy white webs of the Black Widow spider. Even if the spider is not in the web she is close by - so keep children away from the webs.

 

Mosquitoes: 

• Use age-appropriate insect repellant and make sure to follow the manufacture's recommendations.
• When suitable, wear clothes that cover the whole body.
• Peak times for mosquito bites are between dusk and dawn, so take extra precautions during these times.
• Drain standing water. This is where mosquitoes lay eggs.

 

Snakes:

• If you live in one of the newly developed areas you should be aware of danger of rattlesnakes. 
• During the spring and fall check your yard before letting children out to play.
• If you find a snake, leave it alone. Stay away from it.