Bug Bite Guide: How to Identify and Treat Maryland's Summer Pests

Pediatric Providers Team
Jun 8
4 min read

Summer in Maryland means fireflies, warm evenings, and, unfortunately, bugs. Ticks and mosquitoes are the two most common summer pests in our area, and both can cause more than just an itchy bite. Knowing how to identify, treat, and prevent these bites is an important part of keeping your child healthy this season.

Ticks in Maryland

Maryland is home to several tick species, but the two of greatest concern for children are the black-legged tick (also called the deer tick) and the American dog tick.

Black-legged tick: This is the tick that transmits Lyme disease. It is very small — about the size of a sesame seed before feeding. Adult females have a reddish-orange body with a dark shield near the head. Nymphs, or young ticks, are even smaller and harder to see and about the size of a poppy seed. They are most active from April through November and are found in wooded and brushy areas, including many parks in Baltimore County.
American dog tick: Larger and easier to spot. Brown with white or gray markings on the shield. This tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though this is less common. They are active in spring and early summer.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

Ticks need to be attached for at least 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Prompt removal is the most important step.

Use fine-tipped tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward slowly and steadily. Do not twist or jerk. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove the tick.
Clean the bite area: Wash with soap and water or rubbing alcohol after removal.
Save the tick: Place it in a sealed bag with a date note in case symptoms develop. You can submit ticks for testing through the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Watch for symptoms: Contact our office if your child develops a rash, keeping an eye out for a bull's-eye pattern, common for Lyme disease. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, or headache within 30 days of a tick bite.

Note: Not every tick bite requires antibiotics. Our team can help you decide what follow-up is needed based on the tick species, how long it was attached, and your child's symptoms.

Signs of Lyme Disease to Watch For

Bull's-eye rash: A red, expanding rash that may have a clearing in the center. It appears at the bite site in 70 to 80 percent of infected people, usually within 3 to 30 days.
Flu-like symptoms: fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches.
If untreated, later symptoms can include joint swelling (especially in the knees), facial palsy, heart palpitations, and numbness.

Early treatment with antibiotics is very effective. Please call our office promptly if you are concerned.

Mosquitoes in Maryland

Maryland has over 50 species of mosquitoes. Most mosquito bites cause only minor irritation, but some mosquitoes in our area can carry diseases including West Nile virus.

Identifying a Mosquito Bite

Mosquito bites typically appear as a round, puffy bump that becomes red and hard. They are itchy and appear within minutes of a bite. Some children have a stronger local reaction — this is common and not usually a sign of serious illness.

When to Call Our Office for a Mosquito Bite

Large area of redness, warmth, or swelling that spreads over 24 to 48 hours (may indicate a skin infection, not just a reaction)
Fever developing within two weeks of a mosquito bite
Signs of a severe allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, or hives spreading beyond the bite area — call 911 immediately

Treating Bug Bites at Home

For ticks: Remove promptly as described above. Clean the area and monitor for symptoms.
For mosquito bites: Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling. Use 1% hydrocortisone cream for itch if your child is over 2 years old. Oral antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) can also help with itching. Trim fingernails to minimize skin damage from scratching.
Avoid scratching: Breaking the skin increases the risk of infection.

Preventing Bites This Summer

Use insect repellent: The CDC recommends DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 for children over 2 months. Products with 20 to 30 percent DEET are safe and effective for children. Apply to exposed skin and clothing, but not on hands, eyes, mouth, or cuts.
Dress appropriately: Long sleeves and pants are most protective when walking in wooded or grassy areas. Tuck pants into socks.
Do a tick check after outdoor time: Ticks like to hide behind the ears, in the hairline, around the waist, and in skin folds. A thorough check after every outing is one of the most effective prevention strategies.
Shower after outdoor activities: This helps remove unattached ticks and allows a closer inspection.
Treat clothing and gear: Products containing 0.5 percent permethrin can be applied to clothing and camping gear and provide long-lasting tick protection.
Reduce mosquito habitats: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Empty kiddie pools, flowerpots, birdbaths, and gutters regularly.

Local Parks and Tick Risk

Many of Baltimore County's parks and trails carry tick risk, including Patapsco Valley State Park, Oregon Ridge Park, and Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area. This does not mean you should avoid these beautiful places — just take precautions and check thoroughly afterward.