Maryland Pesticide Network

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO MOSQUITOES

Standing Water Left Alone Keeps Mosquitoes Close to Home!

• Mosquitoes breed in standing water. No standing water, no mosquitoes! Even a rain-filled bottle cap can become a mosquito-breeding site.
• Drain, remove, or store anything that may collect rainwater, such as cans, containers, buckets, garbage cans and lids, potted plant containers, old tires, and toys.
• Change water in containers for birds, pets and other wildlife every four days.
• Clean rain gutters of leaves and standing water..
• Turn over unused wading pools. If the upturned outer rim of the pool can hold water, empty it as well. Keep window and door screening in good condition.
• Stock ponds with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia. Only introduce these fish in ponds with no outlets to prevent their migration to waters where they may disrupt other fish or aquatic life.
• Plant herbs, such as catnip and rosemary, that have been reported to keep away mosquitoes.
• Purchase or build birdhouses for mosquito-eating purple martins.
• Purchase or build bat houses to attract mosquito-eating bats.
• Use large fans outdoors, as mosquitoes dislike moving air.

Fight the Bite

• When outside, wear protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts and long pants, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquitoes are less attracted to light colored clothes.

Insect Repellents - Apply with Caution

• When outdoors, use mosquito repellents according to directions. Use just a thin film of repellent to cover clothing or exposed skin.
• Wash off repellents with soap and water upon returning indoors.
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing--do not use on under clothing.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to eyes and mouth, and only sparingly around ears. Do not apply spray repellents directly onto face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Do not allow children to handle repellents, and do not apply to children's hands or skin. First apply to your own hands and then put it on the child's clothing. Wash clothing after returning indoors.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and do not use near food.

NOTE: DEET May be Dangerous to Infants and Children

Although products containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenamide) may be effective at preventing mosquito bites, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should not use products containing more than 10-30% DEET. Infants under 2 months should not use insect repellents at all.ⁱ Seizures in children and other possible adverse health effects may be related to the use of DEET, according to the EPA.ⁱⁱ

Doctors recommend that adults not use products containing more than 30% DEET. Avoid Using

DEET with Other Chemicals

Be careful about combining products containing DEET with other chemicals or medications. A study of laboratory rats found that combined exposure to DEET and permethrin, a pesticide used for mosquito and lice control, led to problems with motor skills, learning and memory.

In April 2005, the CDC recommended an alternative to DEET - The CDC says picaridin is "often comparable with DEET products of similar concentration" and oil of lemon eucalyptus provides protection time similar to low-concentration DEET products in two recent studies.

When using non-toxic repellents, note that they should be applied more frequently than repellents with DEET.

ⁱ American Academy of Pediatrics (2004). "Follow Safety Precautions When Using DEET on Children." Available online at www.aap.org. Accessed on November 1, 2004.

ⁱⁱUnited States Environmental Protection Agency (1998). "R.E.D. Facts: DEET." Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Available on web site at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/0002fact.pdf.