Because our area is such a breeding ground for West Nile virus, we wanted to provide you with additional information on how to prevent this disease. Here is the best advice from the Centers of Disease Control:

• The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to put insect repellents on exposed skin. The CDC  recommends four ingredients: DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD), and IR3535 (its latest addition to the list). In addition, permethrin—which can be used on clothing, shoes, camping gear, and bed nets, but not skin—is an option.

• Stay indoors at or near dawn and dusk, when West Nile infections tend to occur. “Try and avoid mosquito bites at these times,” says Lyle Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases.

• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home. These include small pools of water such as a birdbath that’s not cleaned out, water at the bottom of a flowerpot, and old buckets or tires with standing water. “Any kind of container can breed mosquitoes,” Petersen says. Emptying such containers once or twice a week should do the trick.

• Put screens on your windows and doors—and repair the screens if they have holes in them. Also, use air conditioning so you can keep the windows closed.

• Use mosquito netting on infant carriers when taking a baby outdoors.

West Nile virus is a serious health threat. Call an experienced NJ, NYC pest control expert to ensure your family’s health and safety.