How to prevent mosquito bites

Repellents

Ÿ The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends people only use products that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, ingredients recognized by the Centers for Disease Control; other homeopathic substances don’t work or may cause skin irritation

Precautions

Ÿ Don’t go outside during dawn and twilight when flood water mosquitoes are most active

Ÿ Make sure there aren’t any gaps or holes in door and window screens

Ÿ Wear long-sleeved and pants made of tightly woven materials

Ÿ Wear light colored clothing

Ÿ Keep pant legs tucked into boots or socks

Ÿ Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure

Ÿ Use mosquito netting to protect small babies

Ineffective

Ÿ Bug zappers

Ÿ Birds and bats (they eat mosquitoes, but they don’t reduces them around homes)

Preventive measures

Ÿ Eliminate standing water

Ÿ Cover boats and trash cans

Ÿ Change water in wading pools, bird baths and drip trays weekly

Ÿ Clean clogged gutters

Ÿ Empty pet’s water bowl daily

Ÿ Stock your ornamental water garden, with mosquito-eating fish

Ÿ Keep weeds and tall grass cut short

Ÿ Spray shrubbery and high weeds with insecticide

Ÿ Treat standing water with a bacterial insecticide like Mosquito Dunks

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health