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Enjoy the outdoors.
Skip the bites.
Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas do more than leave an itchy bump. Biting insects can carry diseases that make thousands of people sick every year. Know what you are protecting yourself from, and how to stay safe.
Know the risks
Diseases spread by biting insects
West Nile virus
The leading mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S. Since 1999, it has killed more than 3,300 Americans.
About 1 in 5 infected people develop symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. The risk of severe illness increases with age.
Dengue
A mosquito-borne virus that causes fever, headache, body aches and rash.
Some cases progress to severe dengue, which can be life-threatening. Travel has spread dengue to more regions of the world.
Malaria
An estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024.
Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Severe cases can be fatal, especially in young children.
Lyme disease
A bacterial infection spread by ticks. Ticks can go unnoticed for days, and the longer a tick stays attached, the higher the risk of infection.
An early sign is often a red rash that can look like a bull’s-eye, with flu-like symptoms. Untreated infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, causing joint pain or facial paralysis.
Typhus fevers
A group of bacterial infections spread by fleas, lice and chiggers.
Symptoms include fever, severe headache and skin rash.
Layer your protection
How to protect yourself
No single method stops every bite. Combine the steps below for the best protection.
Use insect repellent on skin and clothing
Apply repellent for every trip outside, from a quick yard job to a hike in the woods. Look for these EPA-registered active ingredients, and use the EPA repellent finder to choose the right product.
DEETPicaridinIR3535Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)PMDProtect the space around you
Citronella candles help repel mosquitoes from a set area. Insect traps attract and kill mosquitoes and other flying insects, with models that cover anything from a small patio up to an acre.
Dress for less exposed skin
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots and a hat. Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks, and choose closed-toe shoes.
Plan around peak insect times
Mosquitoes bite most between dusk and dawn. Limit evening time outdoors, or add extra protection when you are outside at those hours.
Start at home
Mosquito-proof your property
Get rid of standing water
Mosquitoes breed in still water. Check your yard after every rain.
- Empty or remove non-draining flower pots, bird baths, wheelbarrows and buckets
- Clean clogged gutters
- Fill ditches and low spots that hold water
- Fill hollow logs
- Keep swimming pools clean
Keep insects out of your home
Close the gaps that let biting insects inside.
- Repair damaged window and door screens
- Seal cracks and fix leaks
- Use yellow bug lights, which attract fewer insects
Timing matters
When mosquitoes are most active
Mosquitoes can bite at any time, but activity follows the temperature. Activity rises as temperatures climb, then slows as they fall.
Symptoms after a bite?
If you have been bitten and develop fever, rash, headache or other symptoms, contact your doctor right away.