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Mosquitoes and Ticks

Mosquitoes and ticks are bloodsucking insects known as vectors. They can transmit pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans. These pathogens cause disease. Once a vector becomes infectious, they can transmit the pathogen to every host they feed on for the rest of their life.

Contact Info

The best way to protect yourself from a vector-borne disease is to prevent vector bites and remove vector habitats.  To prevent mosquito bites, use EPA-registered repellants, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks, and tuck in your clothing. Use these same precautions for ticks, in addition to wearing light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks. Always look for and safely remove ticks on yourself, your children, and your pets. The longer a tick is attached, the greater the chance it will pass on a disease.  

To submit a tick to the Ohio Department of Health for identification, please review and complete this form.

Wallet Size Tick Identification Card

Resources

Ohio Department of Health (Zoonotic Disease Program)

Tick ID Submission Form