Prevent Mosquito Bites

Use insect repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search tool.

Tips for babies and children

• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• When using insect repellent on your child:
  • Always follow label instructions.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
  • Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
    • Adults: Apply insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.

Tips for everyone

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not apply repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Natural insect repellents (repellents not registered with EPA)

• We do not know the effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents.
• To protect yourself against diseases spread by mosquitoes, CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness.
• Visit the EPA website to learn more.

Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants

Treat clothing and gear

• Use 0.5% permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
  • Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
  • Permethrin-treated clothing provides protection after multiple washings.
  • Read product information to find out how long the protection will last.
• If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions.
• Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.
• Watch the video, What You Need to Know About Permethrin.

Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Use air conditioning, if available.
• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.
  • Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
  • Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors.

Sleep under a mosquito net

Sleep under a mosquito net if you are outside or when screened rooms are not available. Mosquitoes can live indoors and bite during the day and night.

• Buy a mosquito net at your local outdoor store or online before traveling overseas.
• Choose a mosquito net that is compact, white, rectangular, with 156 holes per square inch, and long enough to tuck under the mattress.
• Permethrin-treated mosquito nets provide more protection than untreated nets.
  • Permethrin is an insecticide that kills mosquitoes and other insects.
  • To determine if you can wash a treated mosquito net, follow the label instructions.

Use mosquito nets correctly

Mosquito nets can be hung above a bed or crib to protect against mosquito bites. Adults and children should sleep under a mosquito net if air conditioned and screened rooms are not available.

When using a mosquito net:

• Tuck the net under the mattress to keep the mosquitoes out.
• Tuck netting under the crib mattress or select a mosquito net long enough to touch the floor.
• Pull the net tightly to avoid choking hazards for young children. Check label instructions for additional information.
• Hook or tie the sides of the net to other objects if they are sagging in towards the sleeping area.
• Check for holes or tears in the net where mosquitoes can enter.
• DO NOT hang the net near any candles, cigarettes, or open fires, as it can catch on fire.
• DO NOT sleep directly against the net, as mosquitoes can still bite through holes in the net.