Protecting Yourself from Mosquito Bites

With the upcoming summer season, many families are planning outdoor events but the threat of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry continue to be a worry. These biting insects not only inflict multiple itchy bites upon us, but they can also spread a range of diseases such as, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and the Zika virus. We’ve assembled some tips and hints to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites.

1. Use mosquito repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin or Lemon Eucalyptus. There are several repellents and devices on the market but these have proven to be ineffective.
2. Wear long sleeves and long pants when hiking in wooded areas.
3. If you do get bitten and the bite is especially itchy, try applying some aloe gel or an ice pack.
4. Stay indoors during peak biting times – at dawn or dusk.
5. Choose light-colored clothing.
6. If you are spending time on your deck or patio, run a big box fan pointed toward you to keep away mosquitoes. They are fairly weak flyers and can’t compete with fan-circulating air.
7. Clear out the kiddie pool and any other standing water containers.
8. Two clothing brands, Nobitech and Insect Shield, are pre-treated with permethrin, a chemical proven to repel mosquitoes and are still effective after 25 washings.

If you’re troubled by mosquitoes, give us a call at 800-650-PEST and we’ll be there to help!