That annoying buzz in your ear in the middle of the night should be the least of your mosquito worries this summer.

Along with ticks, these pesky insects are out in full force this summer, and some of them carry diseases.

Amanda Stone, Director of Public Health Nursing Services for Mattapoisett said, “We live in a highly endemic area, and their activity increases as the weather warms up.”

Keeping the whole family safe, though, is possible with a few precautions.

Daniel Daly, Community Liaison for Plymouth County Mosquito Control advises everyone to remember the three D’s:

Drain standing water;

Dress in light colored, loose fitting clothes;

Defend yourself with mosquito repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Getting rid of the standing water on your property, you can make a big decrease in the mosquito population by doing that,” said Daly. “Mosquitoes don’t travel far.”

He also said people must examine their repellent and make sure it meets up with their needs.

“As people look at the products that they’re putting on, I want them to think about what it’s going to do,” said Daly.

“Make sure the repellent is labeled for ticks.”

Daly said the Mosquito Control website has information about the Environmental Protection Agency’s 669 approved repellents.

“One of the things I want people to know is that on our website we have a huge amount of information and great resources for people,” he said, including links to maps showing concentrations of mosquitoes and ticks as well as reports of illness.

Daly said Mosquito Control also offers on-site help to those who are inundated with the winged pests.

“Some parts of the county right now are experiencing huge numbers of mosquitoes,” he said.

Daly said the organization can send trucks out to spray for mosquitoes free of charge for Plymouth County residents. Mosquito Control will also check for sources where mosquitoes breed.

Even if the mosquito and tick population seems small in your area, Daly warned, “The number of mosquitoes doesn’t always represent the threat level.”

So far, there have been no reports of people contracting insect-borne diseases in the area this season, but it only takes one disease-laden bug to catch a potentially harmful illness.

“This is the time of year we’re most concerned about Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile viruses,” said Marion Board of Health Director Karen Walega.

“Usually we find that mosquitoes found with the viruses start to occur toward the middle to end of July into August.”

Walega also cautions pet owners to check their animals for ticks regularly.

“Make sure you’re applying the monthly pesticides to them and following the directions,” she said.

Staying vigilant in all areas of mosquito and tick prevention is something people need to do until winter, said Daly.

“People get lax in the fall. Mosquitoes are still there, and people need to keep taking precautions,” he said.

For more information on local mosquito and tick news as well as guidelines from the EPA, visit www.plymouthmosquito.com.

Brochures on prevention are also available at the local boards of health.