Prevention of mosquito bites is your best bet to avoid infection by West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses!
The following common sense approach can significantly reduce your risk of infection:
• Avoid mosquito bites
- Look for repellants containing DEET and apply *
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when possible **
- Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn (peak feeding times) ***
• Clean out mosquitoes from your workplace and home
- Drain standing water
- Ensure that window screens are in good repair and fit properly
• Help the community control mosquitoes
- Report dead birds to authorities for testing
- Help organize a neighborhood clean-up effort to remove breeding areas
* Use Insect Repellent
On exposed skin when you go outdoors. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Even being outdoors a short time can be long enough to get a mosquito bite.
** Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites
When weather permits, wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don't apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
*** Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours
Want More Information?
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning -- or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Here are some websites with further information about Mosquito Bites and Prevention:
Centers for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/
NIOSH - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/