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Diseases & Topics

Arboviruses

Preventing Mosquito Bites

The best defense against arboviral infections is to avoid mosquito bites.

To protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites:

  • Reduce time spent outdoors, particularly during early morning and early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active;
  • Wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and
  • Apply EPA-approved mosquito repellents to exposed skin areas, following our guidelines.

To reduce mosquito breeding areas around your home:

  • Remove any containers that can hold water — especially old tires;
  • Keep gutters clean and in good repair;
  • Repair leaky outdoor faucets and change the water in bird baths and pet bowls at least twice a week;
  • Use screened windows and doors and make sure screens fit tightly and are not torn; and
  • Keep tight-fitting screens or lids on rain barrels.

For more information

 

NCDHHS