Prevent Mosquito Bites (CDC Guidelines)

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentsexternal icon with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search toolexternal icon.

Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
When using insect repellent on your child:
- Always follow label instructions.
- Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
- Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
  - Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.

Always follow the product label instructions.
Reapply insect repellent as directed.
- Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

We do not know the effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents.
To protect yourself against diseases spread by mosquitoes, CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness.
Visit the EPA website to learn more.external icon

Use permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
- Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
- Permethrin-treated clothing provides protection after multiple washings.
- Read product information to find out how long the protection will last.
If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions.
Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
Use air conditioning, if available.
Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
- Check indoors and outdoors.

Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors.
Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are outside or in a room that does not have screens.
- Buy a bed net at your local outdoor store or online before traveling overseas.
- Choose a WHOPES-approved bed net: compact, white, rectangular, with 156 holes per square inch, and long enough to tuck under the mattress.
- Permethrin-treated bed nets provide more protection than untreated nets.
  - Do not wash bed nets or expose them to sunlight. This will break down the insecticide more quickly.
- For more information on bed nets, visit CDC’s page on insecticide-treated bed nets.
- For more information on traveling overseas, visit Travelers’ Health.

Related Resources

Mosquito Bite Prevention for the United States

How to Protect Against Mosquito Bites for Travelers

Mosquito Bites Can Make You Sick

Fact Sheets

Learn more about Zika with our fact sheets and posters.

More Information