Ticks, Mosquitoes and Poison Ivy: Outdoor Volunteer Safety in High Summer

Summer is prime time for outdoor volunteering: trail maintenance, park clean-ups, community garden work, invasive plant removal and riverbank projects. It is also prime time for ticks, mosquitoes and poison ivy. With a little preparation, volunteers can enjoy the outdoors and protect their health.

This guide covers common-sense precautions for outdoor volunteers in New England. It is not medical advice; if you have health concerns, talk to a health care provider.

Know What You Are Dealing With

Ticks are common in New England woods, fields, tall grass and leaf litter, including in city parks and urban wilds. Blacklegged ticks, often called deer ticks, can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses. They are small, and young ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed.

Mosquitoes are most active around dawn and dusk and near standing water. In Massachusetts, public health officials monitor mosquitoes for illnesses such as West Nile virus and announce local risk levels during the season.

Poison ivy grows along trails, fences, forest edges and even in city lots. The classic reminder is “leaves of three, let it be,” though leaves can look shiny or dull and the plant can grow as a vine, shrub or ground cover.

Dress for Protection

What you wear is your first line of defense.

• Long sleeves and long pants in light colors make ticks easier to spot.
• Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants to keep ticks from crawling under clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes or boots protect feet and ankles.
• Gloves protect hands from thorns, poison ivy and debris.
• A hat shields against sun and some insects.

Clothing treated with permethrin can repel ticks and mosquitoes. You can buy pre-treated clothing or treat clothing yourself following label directions. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin.

Use Repellent Wisely

EPA-registered insect repellents are a widely recommended tool.

• Look for active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Follow label directions carefully, especially for children.
• Apply sunscreen first, then repellent.
• Avoid spraying near eyes and mouth, and wash hands after applying.
• Reapply according to the label, especially if you are sweating heavily.

Smart Work Habits

• Stay on trails and in the center of paths when possible.
• Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on logs in wooded areas.
• Schedule work outside of dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and during cooler morning hours to avoid heat.
• Learn to identify poison ivy before you begin, and point it out to the group.
• Use tools, not hands, to clear brush where poison ivy may be present.

After the Work Is Done

The post-project routine matters as much as preparation.

1. Do a full tick check. Look carefully at the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, behind the knees and between the legs. Use a mirror or ask a family member for help.
2. Shower soon after coming indoors. It can help wash off unattached ticks and gives you a chance to check your skin.
3. Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for a short time to kill ticks that may be clinging to fabric.
4. Wash gear and gloves that may have touched poison ivy. The oil can stay on tools, shoes and clothing.
5. Check pets if they came along.

If You Find a Tick

Remove an attached tick as soon as possible.

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking.
• Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
• Note the date and where on the body you found it.

Avoid folk remedies like nail polish, petroleum jelly or heat. Contact a health care provider if you develop a rash, fever, aches or other symptoms in the weeks after a bite.

If You Touch Poison Ivy

• Rinse skin with lukewarm, soapy water as soon as possible.
• Wash under fingernails.
• Avoid scratching.
• Seek medical care for a severe reaction, a rash on the face or eyes, or difficulty breathing.

Reduce Mosquito Habitat

Volunteers can help reduce mosquito breeding in the spaces they care for.

• Tip and toss standing water from buckets, tires, planters and tarps.
• Clear clogged gutters and drains in community gardens, with permission.
• Report persistent standing water in public spaces through 311.

Leaders: Build Safety Into Every Event

If you organize outdoor projects, a short safety talk at the start sets the tone.

• Show photos of poison ivy and ticks.
• Have repellent, gloves and a first aid kit available.
• Remind everyone to drink water and take shade breaks.
• End with a reminder to do tick checks at home.

Pack a Volunteer Bug-and-Plant Kit

A small kit keeps the essentials in one place for every outdoor project.

• EPA-registered insect repellent
• Fine-tipped tweezers and small sealable bags
• Alcohol wipes and soap
• Extra pairs of work gloves
• A small towel and a bottle of water for rinsing skin
• A printed photo of poison ivy for quick reference
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• A simple first aid kit

Keep the kit in a tote by the door so it is ready whenever a park or garden workday comes up.

Enjoy the Outdoors

These precautions may sound like a lot, but they quickly become habit. The reward is worth it: cleaner trails, healthier parks and the satisfaction of caring for green spaces with your neighbors. Prepare well, work smart and check carefully afterward, and you can make the most of summer outdoors.