Tennessee Health Urges Tick and Mosquito Bite Protection

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Published July 22nd, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Tennessee Department of Health issued a notice urging residents to take precautions against tick and mosquito bites to prevent diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus. The notice provides guidance on using insect repellents, reducing mosquito populations, treating clothing, and wearing protective clothing.

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What changed

The Tennessee Department of Health has issued a public health advisory reminding residents of the risks associated with tick and mosquito bites, particularly concerning diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus. The advisory emphasizes the importance of preventative measures during outdoor activities and provides detailed recommendations for personal protection.

Regulated entities and the public are advised to implement the recommended protective measures, including the use of EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or other effective ingredients, and to apply permethrin to clothing and gear. The notice also stresses reducing mosquito breeding grounds around homes and wearing appropriate clothing. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned, the guidance is effective immediately for the summer outdoor season.

What to do next

Review and disseminate guidance on tick and mosquito bite prevention to relevant staff and the public.
Ensure availability and promotion of recommended insect repellents and protective gear where applicable.

Source document (simplified)

TDH Urges Protection Against Ticks and Mosquitoes

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 02:30pm NASHVILLE – Tennessee is home to over 50 state parks and three National Parks, giving Tennesseans many opportunities to enjoy the beauty our state has to offer. It is important to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes whether you are camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, golfing, or enjoying another outdoor activity.

‘’Staying active and enjoying time with family and friends is part of summertime fun in Tennessee. Be sure to use insect repellant and take other steps to avoid tick and mosquito bites,’’ said Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dunn, DVM, PhD, EMBA. ‘’Diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus infection occur every year in Tennessee. Take simple precautions to help reduce the risks of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses.’’

Fortunately, most tick or mosquito bites will only cause local skin irritation. However, mild, flulike symptoms occur in some people and, other can have a serious illness or death in rare cases. For some tick and mosquito-borne diseases there are no vaccines or specific treatments, so prevention is always important.

To avoid mosquito and tick bites:
• Use insect repellants Containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-methane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone on your skin, following all label recommendations for use. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. Never apply any of these products around the mouth or eyes at any age. Consult your health care provider if you have questions.

• Reduce mosquito populations around your home. Mosquitoes can breed in any place that holds water, including clogged drains or gutters, watering cans and empty bottles.

• Use products containing permethrin, a highly effective insecticide, for clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear. Permethrin-treated clothing kills ticks, mosquitoes and other pests and retains this effect after repeated laundering. Some commercial products are available pretreated with permethrin. As a caution, however, it is not to be used directly on skin.

• Wear ’long, loose and light’ clothing to help prevent bites through fabric. It’s best to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants. Light-colored clothes are less attractive to many insects and may allow you to spot them more easily.

For more information on tick and mosquito bite protection go to www.tn.gov/health/cedep/vector-borne-diseases/tick-borne-diseases.html or https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/vector-borne-diseases/mosquito-borne-diseases.html.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to Protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of all people in Tennessee.

Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

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