Officials say it's the rain that's to blame
MARQUETTE COUNTY -- With all the rain we've been having in the U.P. lately, this summer is shaping up to be a buggy one.
Experts say the wet weather will lead to more mosquitoes and black flies in the coming months. Ticks, on the other hand, will be on the decline.
"Ticks like dry weather. A lot of rain, a lot of moisture causes mortality in the tick, so the worst tick seasons are dry springs, which we certainly have not had," says Jim Islieb of the MSU Extension.
Flying, biting insects are the worst by the lake and in the woods, so if you're not willing to cut down on camping, fishing, or beach trips, it might be a good idea to arm yourself with some bug spray.
"Bug repellents basically work when you spray them on your skin. It changes the scent and makes your skin unattractive to insects like mosquitoes and ticks; it doesn't actually kill them," says Walgreens' pharmacist Amanda Moissic.
The number of bug sprays available to consumers can seem overwhelming. With so many to choose from, how do you know which ones actually work? One way to make it easy is look for a product that contains anywhere from 5 to 30 percent DEET or Picaridin.
How well they work also depends on how you put them on. Before applying bug spray, shake the bottle or can first, and then hold it about six inches away from your skin. Or you could protect yourself the natural way: with long sleeves and pants. If you don't, you can expect to have one itchy summer.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC