How to Avoid Mosquito Bites in The Texarkana Area

Mosquitoes have always been a big pest (no pun intended) in our area. Now with the Zika virus people are extra worried. Since there is no cure, the best thing to do is not get bit in the first place. Several people in Texas and now Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana have been diagnosed with the disease.

Remember that all of the cases have been travel related. So there are no cases that were transmitted locally. Now the particular breed of mosquito that carries the virus has been found in Southwest Oklahoma but they DO NOT have the virus.

There still is the West Nile Virus, so it's still just best to avoid mosquitoes if at all possible.

According to the Centers for Disease Control they suggest:

The first action is to wear an insect repellent that contains either DEET, Picaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)

There are some good natural mosquito repellents too. You just might have to apply them more often.

They also suggest to:

Cover up and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Really? Sometimes I wonder if the CDC is aware how hot our summers get around here!

Keep mosquitoes outside Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. If the mosquitoes are still getting into your house then they suggest mosquito netting over you bed. This would also be good if you are camping.

For more on the prevention of the Zika Virus visit the Texas Department of State Health Services