Protection from Mosquito Bites:
Although many kinds of mosquitoes bite at dusk or at night, some kinds will bite during the day. Almost all kinds will try to bite if you enter an area where they are resting, like high grass.
-When possible, avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite.
-Wear light-colored protective clothing. Tightly woven materials that cover arms and legs provide some protection from mosquito bites. Keep trouser legs tucked into boots or socks, and collars buttoned.
-Have good screening by making sure door and window screens fit tightly and all holes are repaired.
-Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure, and to protect small babies any time.
-Small impoundments ofwater can be treated for mosquito larvae with "Bti," a bacterial insecticide. Many hardware stores carry doughnut-shaped Bti briquets (Mosquito Dunks R) for this purpose. Be sure to follow the insecticide label directions exactly.
-When participating in outdoor activities where mosquitoes are biting, wear protective clothing (shoes, socks, shirt and long pants). For additional protection from mosquitoes, use an insect repellent. The more DEET a product contains, the longer the repellant can protect against mosquito bites. However, concentrations higher than 50 percent do not increase the length of protection. For most situations,
10 percent to 25 percent DEET is adequate. Apply repellents to clothes whenever possible; apply sparingly to exposed skin if label permits. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.
-Spraying your backyard with an insecticidal fog or mist is effective only for a short time. Mosquitoes will return when the effect of the spray has ended.
-Insect light electrocutors ("bug zappers") or sound devices do little to reduce biting mosquitoes in an area.
-Installing bird or bat houses to attract these insect-eating animals has been suggested as a method of mosquito control. However, there is little scientific evidence that this significantly reduces the mosquito population around homes.