How to protect against mosquitoes

(WPRI) - The best way to keep yourself from getting West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis is to prevent mosquito bites.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours
• • The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes.
  • Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. 
• • Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when outdoors. 
• • Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label.
  • DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children.
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.   

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water.
• • Check rain gutters and drains.
  • Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools
  • change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens. 
• • Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.