How to avoid unwanted creatures from the camp

Summer is the perfect time for kids to enjoy the outdoors. But summer camps can be full of critters, some just boring, others dangerous to health.

Here are some steps you can take to keep unwanted insects and pests away, keeping your campers happy and healthy. Sucking mosquitoes are usually just a nuisance, but some can carry a number of serious diseases. The most common viruses are West Nile virus, with thousands of cases reported annually to the CDC

Ticks can also make you sick with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Key Lyme Disease

said Catherine Roberts, publisher of Health Consumer Reports. "Counselors should apply an insect repellent on children."

For better protection against mosquitoes and ticks, look for products containing 15 to 30% diethyltoluamide, or DEET which, according to the health experts, are safe for children for two months, but even so, children should not handle insect repellents themselves.

Ticks are a particular danger in grbady areas Trekkers who hike or spend time in the tall grbad should make sure they are well covered.

"Long trousers, socks, shoes The long sleeves are good. And go ahead, put on children's trousers in their socks, suggested Roberts

As for natural repellents, Consumer Reports tests have found that they generally offer very little protection.

Another crawling crawly, lice, is the most prevalent. "It only takes three to four seconds for one insect to spread from one person to the other," says Anna Krosche, lice specialist

. many over-the-counter treatments, which means that you will need to comb them, preferably with a metal comb.

"The teeth are very close to each other and it really helps, really, to eliminate nits and bugs," Krosche said, "A plastic comb, not so much."

And while 39 There are products such as shampoos or sprays that claim to repel lice, Consumer Reports says saving your money. There is little evidence that they work.