Many people may connect the mosquito season to the irksomely itchy welts that accompany mosquito bites. But, there are far worse associations to make with these blood-sucking pests, such as the health threats they pose to you and your family.

There are harmful diseases including the Zika, West Nile and chikungunya viruses present in the U.S. that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Your knowledge about this and general mosquito prevention is important.

Ways to avoid mosquito bites and better protect against mosquito-transmitted diseases include:

• Applying insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors and use as directed on the product label. Apply repellant over top of sunscreen, and reapply every four to six hours.
• Minimizing outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, though it is important to note that mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are active throughout the day.
• Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
• Eliminating areas of standing water around the home including clogged gutters, birdbaths, flower pots, tires and kiddie pools or untreated pools. Mosquitoes need only half an inch of water to breed.
• Screening windows and doors, and patching torn screens.

If you are concerned about these little invaders where you live, please contact us HERE. We can help!