While mosquito bites may seem like a minor annoyance, they can be serious. Mosquitoes carry severe diseases that are not easily treatable.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, mosquito-borne illnesses that can occur in Ohio include Easter equine encephalitis virus, La Crosse virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. Outside Ohio, mosquitoes carry other severe diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

Because these viruses are so difficult to treat, it is best to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. The Ohio Department of Health recommends three steps to protect yourself.

Avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites.

On exposed skin, use repellents that are registered with the U.S. EPA, particularly from dawn to dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Wear light-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants to protect against mosquito bites. You can also wear clothing treated with permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for extra protection.

Consider avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. When sleeping outside, use mosquito netting.

Plan ahead for mosquitoes while traveling.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers’ Health website for health notices about the country you are visiting. Talk to your healthcare provider about your travel plans and ways to reduce your exposure to mosquitoes. Pack the items you will need to protect yourself.

Stop mosquitoes from breeding in and around your home.

Standing water allows mosquitoes to breed, so the goal is to eliminate places they can breed. For example, empty standing water from items such as flowerpots, plastic containers and tarps/covers on a regular basis. Regularly replace water in pet bowls and birdbaths. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

Stop mosquitoes from coming indoors by keeping screens in good repair over your windows, or keep the windows closed and use air conditioning if you have it.

For more information on protecting yourself and your loved ones from mosquitoes, visit the Ohio Department of Health.

Source: Ohio Department of Health