There was a time when I went for an early morning walk in Springfield and came home to find three mosquito bites on my arm.

That's when I realized that Virginia summers might be more about bugs than the heat.

Especially for those who have come from Korea to the U.S., while they may be familiar with mosquitoes, they often don't pay much attention to ticks. Although ticks exist in Korea, it's not common for city dwellers to worry about Lyme disease from ticks. However, the situation is a bit different in Northern Virginia.

First of all, mosquitoes are quite active from around May to October. There are many bodies of water around Springfield, like Lake Accotink, Lake Mercer, and Pohick Creek, along with plenty of trees and parks, creating a favorable environment for mosquitoes. Even sitting on a park bench for a short while in the evening can lead to several bites on your legs.

The problem is that in the U.S., you can't just think of mosquitoes as annoying bugs. They can carry the West Nile Virus. Cases of infection have been continuously reported in Virginia. Of course, getting bitten by a mosquito isn't a disaster, but if you're spending a lot of time outdoors in the summer, it's a good idea to use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.

What I really want to emphasize to Koreans is the issue of ticks. Northern Virginia has a lot of forests and trails. However, when walking in areas with many trees or tall grass, ticks can attach themselves to your clothes or skin.

These ticks can carry Lyme disease. There are also diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease is particularly concerning in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., so caution is necessary in Virginia.

That said, it's not that Koreans are particularly more susceptible. There's no evidence that being of a certain race or being Korean makes one more vulnerable to Lyme disease. Ultimately, what matters more is where and how much outdoor activity you've done, whether you've been bitten by a tick, and how long the tick was attached.

However, one area where people coming from Korea might be at a relative risk is their lack of awareness about these habits. In Korea, it's almost unheard of to check for ticks after a walk in the park. Here, if you've been in the woods or tall grass, it's a good idea to check your armpits, waist, behind your knees, groin, behind your ears, and around your hair while showering.

Wearing long pants and tucking the ends into your socks might look a bit odd, but it's effective. Especially if you've taken children or dogs on a trail, you should check thoroughly. If you develop a rash that spreads like a target, or symptoms like fever, headache, or body aches after a tick bite, don't just assume it's a cold; it's best to seek medical attention.

And when fall comes, another pest appears. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, commonly known as the stink bug, is a real autumn visitor in the Mid-Atlantic region.

While it doesn't attack people or carry serious diseases, the problem is that it keeps coming into homes. As the weather gets colder, they seek warmth and enter through windows or door cracks. What's more troublesome is that if you try to squash them, they emit a smell, just as their name suggests.

At first, seeing just one bug can cause a panic, but after living here for a few years, you'll find yourself handling it with just a piece of tissue without a second thought. Ultimately, the key to comfortably getting through the summers and falls in Springfield is simple: prepare some mosquito repellent, check for ticks after visiting the woods, and seal windows and door cracks before fall arrives. It seems that Northern Virginia, with its abundance of nature, is a place where you have to coexist with bugs to some extent.