Protecting yourself from mosquito bites

To prevent mosquito bites, follow these guidelines:¹

• Limit your outdoor activity between dusk and dawn. Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms or use an electric fan in your room.
• Wear protective clothing (long pants and long-sleeved shirts).
• Use insect repellent with DEET (N,N diethylmetatoluamide) on your clothes and skin. The repellent is available in varying strengths up to 100%. In young children, use a preparation containing less than 24% strength, because the chemical can be absorbed through the skin.
• Use bed nets (mosquito netting) sprayed with or soaked in an insecticide such as permethrin or deltamethrin.
• Use flying-insect spray indoors around sleeping areas.
• Avoid areas where malaria and mosquitos are present if you are at higher risk (for example, if you are pregnant, very young, or very old).

If you use a bed net treated with insecticide and use insect repellents on your clothes, you can reduce your risk of becoming infected with malaria.