In Sickness and Health: Outdoor Pest Problems

Where do mosquitos live and breed? Mosquitos can breed in even small amounts of water, such as standing water in a tire swing or bird baths.

What is IPM? IPM (integrated pest management) is a pest control method that includes removing or reducing the pests food, water, and living spaces of pests

Can I use pesticides? Only if you have pests that could be harmful, such as yellow jackets or fire ants.

Where do pests live? In dumpsters and trash bins, in weeds, under low shrubs, etc.

Safety First: Poisonous Plants:

What plants commonly cause skin reactions? Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

How can I recognize these plants? Poison ivy and poison oak have three leaves; poison sumac may have 7-13 leaves per stem.

Is it just the leaves that cause reactions? The entire plant contains urishol, the poisonous substance. You can get a reaction by touching the stem, even in winter when there are no leaves.

How can I get rid of these plants? Kill the plants with a herbicide, such as RoundUp, then remove the dead plants. Do not mow or burn the plants.

What should I do if a child has touched a plant? Immediately wash the child’s skin with soap and running water. Then contact the child’s parent.

Nutrition Action: Children and Weight

What is the purpose of a weight chart? Weight charts and Body Mass Index (BMI) charts are screening tools to show risk of over- or underweight. They are not diagnostic tools

What does it mean if a boy is at the 75th percentile? This means that nationally, 75% of all boys his age are smaller than him, and 25% of all boys are larger than him.

What risks are associated with being overweight in childhood? Higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, and joint and breathing problems. Also, large children are often teased and excluded, which can lead to low self-esteem.

Medicine Chest: West Nile Virus:

How is West Nile Virus (WNV) spread? By mosquitoes. Birds can carry the disease, and the mosquito bites the bird, and then can bite humans.

Is WNV fatal? Most people with WNV have no symptoms, or may have just a mild fever. Less than 1 percent of people become seriously ill, and very few actually die.

Can I use insect repellent on children? A product containing 10 percent DEET is appropriate for children. However, do not use DEET on children less than two months old.

What about using combination sunscreen/insect repellent products? Combination products are not recommended.

Health & You: Bicycling

What size bike should I ride? You should be able to straddle the bike, reach the ground, and still have a few inches between you and the top horizontal bar.

How high should I adjust the seat? Position the seat so that you have a slight bend in your knee when pushing the pedal all the way down.

What safety items are important? Of most importance is a properly fitted helmet. Also, reflectors, lights, and bright or reflective clothing.