Combatting Mosquitoes and the Zika Virus

To help minimize your risk of contracting Zika virus, use a personal insect repellent when you’re outside, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. To reduce mosquito breeding around your home, eliminate standing water in flower pots, bird baths and gutters, and avoid overwatering your lawn. Inspect the screens on your windows and repair them if needed.

Pick the right product for your needs. For personal repellents, consider the amount of time you’ll be outside and the activity you’re planning, and read the label to find the repellent labeled for that use. DEET-based products are recommended by the National Institutes of Health for effective, long-lasting protection, and can be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women throughout pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends DEET repellents for kids and advises that 30 percent DEET concentrations or lower can be used on children ages two months and up*.

*American Academy of Pediatrics