Keep Mosquitoes at Bay With These Tips for Avoiding West Nile Virus

By City News Service

Here are tips from health officials for avoiding West Nile virus. To avoid the disease, residents should:

-- avoid outdoor activities around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active;

-- wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors;

-- apply insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;

-- keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out; and

-- eliminate all sources of standing water around their homes and properly maintain ornamental ponds, pools and spas.