Mosquito Bites: Everyone is at Risk

The best way to prevent illnesses from mosquito bites is to protect yourself and your family from bites.

Almost everyone in the world has been bitten by a mosquito. Although most types of mosquitoes are just nuisance mosquitoes, some types of mosquitoes spread viruses that can cause disease. For most viruses spread by mosquitoes, no vaccines or specific medicines are available.

Mosquitoes bite during the day and night, live indoors and outdoors, and search for warm places as temperatures begin to drop. Some mosquitoes hibernate in enclosed spaces, like garages, sheds, and under (or inside) homes, to survive cold temperatures. Except for the southernmost states in North America, mosquito season starts in the summer and continues into fall.

Products such as those containing DEET will protect you and your family while your outdoors from mosquitos as well as ticks and biting flies.