What’s worse than a mosquito that bites, leaving you with a terribly itchy welt on your skin?
A mosquito that bites you more than once.
If you’re a “mosquito magnet,” you may already have been bitten this summer. The more it rains, the more rain water collects in places where mosquitoes breed. And the more mosquitoes bite humans, the greater the chance for diseases to spread.
Mosquitoes spread diseases, including Malaria, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
What’s a summer-loving Virginian to do?
There are several ways you can protect yourself and still have fun outdoors this summer.
Insect Repellent
Make sure your bug spray is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contains one of the following:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
Clothing
Wear long-sleeves and long pants to keep mosquitoes from biting you.
Inside Your Home
If you don’t have air conditioning that allows you to keep your windows closed, make sure window screens don’t have any holes.
Outside Your Home
Get rid of standing water around your home in places such as flower pots, buckets or gutters. Mosquito dunks can be used in places where water can’t be drained.
Learn more about mosquitoes and other summer pests, such as ticks on the Virginia Department of Health website https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/bugs-human-health/