New York City's mosquito season is from April to October. During this time period mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Protection from mosquitoes involves two levels, your home and yourself.

Protection of your home:

In order to minimize the number of mosquitoes in the area of your home the following precautions are useful.

• Mosquitoes depend on standing or slow moving water for reproduction. Avoid or eliminate any items on your property that may collect rainwater and serve as a breeding site for mosquitoes.

• Remove all old tires, cans, bottles, plastic or ceramic pots, or any other kind of container that may collect rainwater from your property. Do not forget garbage like plastic bags in hidden areas or under bushes.

• Turn over all containers that you need to use or store in your yard, like buckets or empty flower pots.

• Empty the water from flower pots, bird baths, pet dishes, pool or hot tub covers or any other water source that may serve for mosquito breeding every other day.

• Chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs.

• Check occasionally that roof gutters are not clogged. Clean them at least in spring and fall

• Eliminate any water that collects on your property like, for example, in uneven parts of decks, porches or tiled/plastered walkways.

• For water gardens or decorative ponds you may consider to use Mosquito Dunks, Mosquito Bits or other products that contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. This very effective larvicide is, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, no risk for human health and also environmentally safe, if used according to the directions.

• Remind or help your neighbors to eliminate possible breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Keep mosquitoes out of your house/apartment.

• Repair screens of windows, doors and gazebos before the mosquito season and continuously monitor them for holes during the season.

• Keep screen doors closed!

Protection of yourself:

• Dawn, dusk and early evening hours are peak times for biting mosquitoes. Consider to stay inside during these times.

• When outdoors consider to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Select light colors for your clothing. In contrast to bright colors, khaki, beige or olive colors appear to not especially attract mosquitoes.

• When outdoors consider to avoid places where mosquitoes may be particularly abundant. Remember that mosquitoes need water for reproduction and that ponds and lakes may increase the density of biting mosquitoes. Mosquitoes like to rest in bushy and grassy areas, and they prefer shade. Avoid such places.

• When outdoors in the evening citronella candles may be useful. In areas heavily infested with mosquitoes you may even consider to burn mosquito coils. However, be aware that the smoke of mosquito coils may be harmful for your own health.

• When outdoors it may be recommended to use insect repellent for the exposed areas of your skin. Repellents that contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) appear to be most effective. When using DEET-containing insect repellents make sure to read the entire instructions of the purchased product. DEET-containing insect repellents are sold in different concentrations. Repellents that contain 15-30% DEET are designed for adults who spend more or less time outdoors exposed to mosquitoes. For children, only repellents with concentrations below 10% are recommended. Repellents containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus may be effective, alternative repellent ingredients. In any case avoid to apply repellent under clothes or on parts of your hands that are likely to get in contact with your mouth or eyes.

• Do not consider this page exclusive! In order to get more ideas about protection from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases make sure to also explore other resources.

• When visiting tropical areas further measures like mosquito nets, vaccinations or prophylactic medication may be indicated. Collect further information and contact your health care provider for more information before you visit areas in which mosquito-borne diseases are widespread.