Keep yourself and your family safe from mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus or encephalitis. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends the following:

• Use insect repellent. Repellent should contain between 25-35 percent DEET. This should be applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing. However, you should consult a physician before using repellent on young children.
• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and early evening. This is a mosquito’s high activity time. If you must be outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts that cover exposed skin. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best.
• Repair torn screens. Check around your home for tears or gaps in your screen doors and windows. Repair ripped or torn screens, including on patios and porches.
• Eliminate stagnant water in and around your yard. This is a mosquito’s breeding ground. Empty non-aerated ponds, flowers pot reservoirs, old tires and any other containers which hold water. Bird baths and wading pools should be emptied nightly.