CS258303

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Division of Vector-Borne Diseases 

Help Control Mosquitoes that Spread 

Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses

Aside from being itchy and annoying, the bite of an infected female 

mosquito (Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) can spread dengue, 

chikungunya, or Zika viruses. People become infected with dengue, 

chikungunya, or Zika after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

• Female mosquitoes lay several hundred eggs on the walls of waterfilled containers. Eggs stick to containers like glue and remain 

attached until they are scrubbed off. When water covers the eggs, 

they hatch and become adults in about a week. 

• Adult mosquitoes live inside and outside. 

• They prefer to bite during the day. 

• A few infected mosquitoes can produce large outbreaks in a 

community and put your family at risk of becoming sick.

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Community 

from Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water in and around your home:

• 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 inside and outside your home.

• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, 

cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get 

inside to lay eggs.

• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes 

smaller than an adult mosquito. 

2 . If you have a septic tank, follow these steps:

• Repair cracks or gaps.

• Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh 

with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

3 . Keep mosquitoes out of your home:

• Use screens on windows and doors. 

• Repair holes in screens.

• Use air conditioning when available. 

Put plants in soil, not in water.

Drain water from pools when not in use. 

Recycle used tires or keep them protected from rain.

Drain & dump any standing water.

Weekly, scrub vases & containers to remove mosquito eggs.

B Z Z Z Z .
4 . Prevent mosquito bites:

• Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered 

insect repellent with one of the following active 

ingredients. All EPA-registered insect repellents are 

evaluated to make sure they are safe and effective.

- Always follow the product label instructions.

- Reapply insect repellent every few hours, depending 

on which product and strength you choose.

- Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first 

and insect repellent second.

• Treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and 

tents) with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated 

clothing and gear. 

- Treated clothing remains protective after multiple 

washings. See product information to find out how 

long the protection will last.

- If treating items yourself, follow the product 

instructions carefully.

- Do not use permethrin products, intended to treat 

clothing, directly on skin.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Active ingredient

Higher percentages of active 

ingredient provide longer protection

Some brand name examples*

DEET Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon

Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023, 

Bayrepel, and icaridin

Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug 

Guard Plus, Autan (outside the 

United States)

IR3535 Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus 

Expedition, SkinSmart

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or 

para-menthane-diol (PMD)

Repel

* Insect repellent brand names are provided for your information only. The Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cannot 

recommend or endorse any name brand products.

August 2015

For more information, visit: 

www.cdc.gov/dengue, www.cdc.gov/chikungunya, www.cdc.gov/zika 

Keep rain barrels covered tightly.

Weekly, empty standing water from fountains and bird baths.

Keep septic tanks sealed.

Install or repair window & door screens.