You can protect yourself from West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis during the summer and fall by avoiding getting bitten by mosquitoes. Here are some suggestions.

Make Your Home and Yard Safe

• Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by making sure your window and door screens are in good repair and are tightly attached.



• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water. Reduce mosquito breeding places in your yard by emptying, covering, or treating any items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and buckets. Change the water in wading pools and birdbaths once a week.



• When you can't get rid of standing water by sweeping or other methods, please report the address or approximate location of the puddle or still water source to the appropriate city department:

Public property: (roads, parks): Cambridge Dept. of Public Works, 617-349-4800

Construction sites: Cambridge Inspectional Services, 617-349-6100

Protect Yourself and Your Family

• Consider wearing long-sleeve shirts, loose pants, and socks if you spend time outdoors during peak mosquito biting times. Mosquito species found in Cambridge are most active in the early evening and nighttime.
  
  
• If you are outdoors during peak mosquito biting times, apply a thin coat of insect repellant containing DEET or Picaridin to clothing and exposed skin. Read the instructions on the label carefully before using the product.
  
  
• Adults and children (age two months and older) should use repellant with 25% to 30% DEET. Repellants with DEET should never be used on children under two months of age. After returning indoors, wash off repellent with soap and water. If repellent is applied to clothing, wash treated clothing before wearing again.
  
  
• Alternatives to DEET include Picaridin (a chemical repellent) and oil of lemon eucalyptus (a plant-based repellent). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin work better than other products. Studies have shown that oil of lemon eucalyptus, also known as PMD, works as well as low concentrations of DEET. Picaridin should not be used on children under two months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under age 3.
  
  
• When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub it on your child. Avoid your child's eyes and mouth, and use it sparingly around the ears. Remember to keep repellents out of reach of children.
  
• When outdoors, cover your baby stroller or playpen with netting.

More Information

Fight The Bite! Avoid Mosquito Bites to Avoid Infection
(CDC website)

Insect Repellant Use and Safety (CDC website)

DEET and Other Skin Products for Repelling Insects

Preventing Disease Spread by Mosquitoes
(MDPH website, PDF)