Not all mosquitoes are the same. Different mosquitoes spread different diseases and bite at different times of the day. Some mosquito species bite during the day, such as those mosquitoes that can spread chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses. Other species of mosquitoes bite most often at dawn and dusk, including those that can transmit West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes can live indoors and will bite at any time, day or night.

The Florida Department of Health provides the following information to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents
Wear repellent when you are outdoors. Use products with active ingredients that are safe and effective.
• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Do not spray repellent on skin under clothing.
• If you use sunscreen, put sunscreen on first and insect repellent second.
• It is safe for pregnant or nursing women to use EPA-approved repellents if applied according to package label instructions.
• Learn more at: www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents.

Use insect repellent with one of these active ingredients:

• DEET used in brands Off, Cutter, Sawyer and Ultrathon
• Picaridin (KBR 3023), Bayrepel and icaridin used in Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthanediol (PMD) used in Repel
• IR 3535 used in Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Edition and Skin Smart
Higher percentages of active ingredient gives longer protection.

If you have a baby or child
• Always follow product instructions when applying insect repellent to children.
• Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
• Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, mouth, cut or irritated skin.
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than two months.
• Dress babies or small children in clothing that covers arms and legs.

• Cover cribs, strollers or baby carriers with mosquito netting.

Cover up with clothing
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing. Treat clothes with permethrin or another EPA-registered insecticide for extra protection.
Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Permethrin is an insecticide that kills mosquitoes and other insects.
• Buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear (boots, pants, socks, tents), or use permethrin to treat clothing and gear — but follow product instructions closely.
• Read product information to find out how long the permethrin will last.
• Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

For more information, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov