Mosquitos are small insects that can transmit diseases, such as Malaria and Zika, through their bites. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites and can affect both animals and humans. Click here to learn more about mosquito-borne diseases.
You can protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne illness by taking action to prevent bites, such as:
Consider your clothing.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored long shirts and pants, as well as socks to reduce exposed skin. You can also treat your clothing with permethrin, an insecticide that can provide protection even after multiple washes.
- Use repellent.
- Cover exposed skin with an EPA-registered insect repellent with an active ingredient of DEET, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Picaridin, IR3535 or para-menthane-diol (PMD). Use only as directed and repellents are safe and effective for children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Block them out.
- In areas at high-risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, cover beds and strollers with mosquito netting. Make sure your dwelling has air conditioning and screens on its windows and doors.
- Remove standing water.
- Mosquitos lay their eggs near water, so removing sources of standing water will reduce mosquito larvae before they become adults. Empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out indoor and outdoor items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, pools, birdbaths, clogged ditches and pipes, and leaky faucets. Learn more from Georgia’s Tip ‘n Toss Campaign.