Personal Protection Against Mosquitoes
Most mosquitoes bite at dusk or at night, but some kinds will bite during the day. Almost all mosquitoes will try to bite you if you enter an area where they are resting. Mosquitoes can transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases, such as the West Nile Virus, to humans. In areas where the West Nile Virus has been found, very few mosquitoes have it. The virus can cause an infection in the brain, but the chances that you will get very sick from any one-mosquito bite are very low. But, you still want to protect yourself and help cut down on the number of mosquitoes.
- When possible, avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite (especially during dusk and dawn).
- Wear shoes, socks, and light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are most active.
- Make sure door and window screens fit tightly, and repair any holes.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors and around small babies for protection at all times.
Use mosquito repellents with about 30% DEET (about 10% DEET for children age 2-12). Adults should supervise repellent use on children. Do not use any repellents on children under 2 years of age without consulting your doctor. Apply them to clothes whenever possible and apply sparingly to skin if the label permits. Wash repellent off daily. DO NOT apply over cuts or irritated skin or near the eyes, lips or nose.
- Remove standing water from around your house, like in buckets and wading pools since some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
- Report mosquito-breeding sites to your local mosquito control agency.
- DO NOT rely on insect light electrocuters ("bug zappers"). They do little to reduce biting mosquitoes in an area.