mosquitoesMosquitoes have buzzed their way onto national news headlines recently as mosquito-borne illnesses present themselves in human occupants. The pesky insects carry a multitude of diseases, including La Crosse Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika virus, and the most common, West Nile virus.

The best way to protect yourself this season is to prevent bites in the first place. For most species of mosquito in the United States, their activity peaks during the dusk hours beginning in the summer and lasting well into the fall. Therefore, the correct use of insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin during this time is recommended. Other means of protection include wearing long sleeves and pants, planting mosquito-repelling plants (lavender and basil, to name a few) around your home, and getting rid of any standing water.

If bitten, most people infected with a virus do not have symptoms, or have only mild signs like fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However, some viruses can be much more serious. Always seek guidance from your family physician or other medical professional if you suspect symptoms are from a bug bite.