Prevention is your
best bet when dealing with mosquito-borne disease. Protect
yourself and reduce your risk by following these simple steps:
-
Choose and use a
repellent that contains one of these active ingredients: DEET,
picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Always follow
label instructions and do not allow young children to apply
insect repellent to themselves.
-
Be aware of peak
mosquito hours and take extra appropriate care during this time
-
Wear long, loose,
and light-colored clothing to avoid mosquito bites.
-
Eliminate or
treat standing water around your home where mosquitoes breed.
Repellents are an
important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from
mosquito-borne diseases. CDC recommends the use of products
containing active ingredients which have been registered by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied
to skin and clothing. EPA registration of repellent active
ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved
for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the
instructions on the label.
Additional repellent
information is offered in the following links:
Fairfax County Health
Department
Disease Carrying Insects Program
Choosing the Right Repellent (pdf)
