Tip of the Day: Protect Yourself From Tick and Mosquito Bites

April 19,2011— -- When you find a tick or you're bitten by a mosquito or by a bug you can't even make out, what should you really do first?

Mike Raupp, also known as "the Bug Guy," is a Professor of Entomology at the University of Maryland. He came to "Good Morning America" to set us straight on what to worry about and what to ignore. He also has important information on what to do if you get bitten or stung by a dangerous bug.

TicksThe black-legged tick carries Lyme disease, and the American dog tick carries other disease organisms, Raupp, who is currently being treated for Lyme disease, said. Young ticks, which only have six legs, do not transmit Lyme disease. Older ticks with eight legs do.

According to Raupp, if you were infected, you might have flu-like symptoms such as a low-grade fever and joint pain. Treatment is easy, he said. You can tell whether you have it from a blood test.

MosquitoesTo stop mosquitoes from breeding, "empty your bird bath twice a week, dump out your wheelbarrow, and turn it upside down, unplug your gutters," Raupp said. "If you have a pool of standing water on your property, add a mosquito dunk to kill larvae breeding there. Apply insect repellents when you go outdoors."

Folded skin and protected areas like the groin and arm pits are more prone to bites than legs. According to Raupp, mosquito bites also look different than tick bites, whichyou can actually see it engorged in your skin. Mosquito bites can still be dangerous if they become infected, he said.

Bug RepellentIf you used insect repellent, you should try to avoid putting it directly on your skin as it is absorbed by the body. Also, when you get home after being outdoors, take off your clothes and gear and check for ticks.

"If you get the ticks off in the first 24 hours, the chances of getting Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever are almost zero," he said.