How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Summer is coming to an end, but mosquitoes will still be… will still be in full force early autumn.

In most cases, insect bites are nothing more than a nuisance that goes away after a few days. However, mosquitoes can carry pathogens that cause diseases, including West Nile virus and, in very uncommon cases, a disease known as Eastern encephalomyelitis, or EEE.

You can take basic precautions to keep mosquitoes out of your home and protect yourself when you are outdoors.

Get rid of standing water.

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, meaning any source of standing water near your home could be a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes, said Dina Fonseca, a professor of entomology at Rutgers University.

Beware of water collecting in gutters where leaves have accumulated, near leaky sprinklers, on tarps, and in pots or buckets you keep outside. Mosquitoes it doesn’t take much water to lay eggs, so try to be thorough.

“It’s actually pretty insidious,” said Dr. Jen Wall Forrester, director of infectious diseases at the University of Cincinnati. “It’s really difficult to get rid of all the water in your garden,” she said.

Some communities have mosquito control neighborhoods. If you’ve cleaned up the water around your home but still need to keep mosquitoes at bay, consider contacting your local county to see if they can handle the problem, said Daniel Markowski, a technical adviser with the American Mosquito Control Association. They may be able to do that by helping to control the water or, in some cases, by using minimal amounts of insecticides, experts said.

Spray generously with insecticide.

Experts say many mosquito species, especially those that can carry pathogens and viruses like West Nile virus and EEE, are most vigorous at dawn or dusk. However, some mosquitoes are out during the day, so it’s best to employ mosquito repellent whenever you go outside.

“There is always time for mosquitoes,” Dr. Fonseca said.

Operate mosquito repellents containing DEET, which is the “most effective agent” against insects, says Dr. Markowski.

Apply to exposed skin, paying special attention to areas you might forget, such as ankles, hands, wrists, the backs of your feet and the back of your neck. To cover your face without splashing for eyes or lipsConsider spraying a repellent on your hands and rubbing it into your face with your hands, Dr. Markowski said. You can also opt for a lotion-based repellent to make it easier to avoid your eyes and mouth, he added.

Mosquito repellents containing 25 percent DEET typically protect for up to eight hours, said Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. But check the product label to see how long it provides protection.

To ensure protection, reapply repellent after swimming or sweating from physical activity.

Cover up when you go outside.

Dr. Wall Forrester says tight or skinny clothing, such as leggings or linen pants, can be an straightforward target for mosquitoes.

If possible, wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants in thicker materials, such as denim or khakis. You can also tuck your pants into your socks to better protect your ankles. “It’s not very attractive, but it’s very good,” Dr. Markowski said.

You can also spray your clothes with a mosquito repellent. Dr. Chandrasegaran said a bug spray containing picaridin may be a good option because it is inodorous and less greasy than sprays containing DEET. Other alternatives include sprays containing lemon eucalyptus oil and the chemical IR3535, although experts stressed that DEET remains the most effective option.

Protect your space.

Make sure your windows don’t have holes where mosquitoes can fly in, Dr. Markowski said. If your windows don’t have screens or you sleep outside, consider mesh mosquito netswhich can be hung above the bed, added Dr. Chandrasegaran.

You can hang a mosquito coil outside. They work by heating and vaporizing an vigorous ingredient, such as an insecticide, that can repel or potentially kill mosquitoes. Dr. Chandrasegaran said the effectiveness of a mosquito coil largely depends on the weather. If it’s windy, the breeze will blow away the vapors before they can repel the pests.

For this reason, Dr. Chandrasegaran said, mosquito coils should be a last resort. It is better to employ other options.