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Now’s the time to replenish your bug spray supply.
Throughout the country, mosquitoes in states such as Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania and more have tested positive for West Nile virus, one of the leading mosquito-borne illnesses in the country, according to Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist with Mosquito Squad Plus. Towns test mosquitoes for the virus so they can consider doing community-wide spraying to prevent spread.
While this prevention method certainly helps, infected mosquitoes still get people sick; people in states such as Wisconsin, North Carolina and Florida have come down with the virus this summer. There have been 98 cases of the virus in the United States so far this year, according to the CDC. It’s a rare disease, but one that folks should be aware of.
Traditionally, the virus is more common in warmer states. “The Southeast has been pretty prominent for West Nile … Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, that type of area, but now we’re seeing cases all over,” said Crumbley. This can be blamed on “continuously changing weather patterns [and] climates,” which make it possible for mosquitoes to show up in new areas.
Many states are hotter and wetter than ever, and mosquitoes thrive in these conditions, she added, which allows for more virus spread.
“It’s most commonly seen in the summer to early fall time period,” said Dr. Eric Sachinwalla, the Medical Director for Jefferson Health’s Infection Prevention and Control in Philadelphia. Now through October or so is when this virus spreads.
West Nile is spread by mosquitoes.
“West Nile virus is … transmitted by mosquitoes, so similar to other mosquito-borne infections like malaria, things like that,” Sachinwalla added.
West Nile virus is mostly circulated in bird populations, said Crumbley. So when a mosquito bites an infected bird, the mosquito ends up contracting the virus.
“[West Nile virus] builds up in the mosquito’s body, and then when they bite a person, now we have the virus,” said Crumbley.
In order for a person to get West Nile, they have to be bitten by an infected mosquito, added Sachinwalla. It doesn’t spread any other way.
If you do get infected, there are a few things to know — but thankfully, most folks don’t have to worry about too much. Here’s what experts say:
LordHenriVoton via Getty Images
Most people have no symptoms of West Nile.
“The majority of people who get an infection don’t have any symptoms,” said Dr. Karen Ravin, the pediatric infectious disease division chief and medical director of infection prevention and control at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware.
Roughly 70 to 80% of people have no symptoms of the virus at all. Most folks don’t even know they have it, Sachinwalla said.
Some people have fever, headaches and body aches.
“Twenty percent [to] 30% of people that get exposed might have a nonspecific viral fever illness, so they just feel kind of sick during the summer,” said Sachinwalla.
Common symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, he noted. These symptoms last about a week and get better on their own, Sachinwalla said.
Some folks also report vomiting, diarrhea and, sometimes, a rash, added Ravin.
It’s not a communicable disease, said Crumbley. Meaning, someone who has a fever from West Nile can’t pass it on to someone else.
In rare cases, there can be severe complications and even death.
A very small number of people who end up with symptoms (about 1-2%) end up developing neuroinvasive disease, said Sachinwalla.
“This is what everybody … probably [is] worried about and reading and hearing more about. It’s a very small number of patients that get this, but that’s where the virus actually can invade and infect the brain or the lining around the brain,” he explained.
This can present as meningitis, encephalitis or something called acute flaccid myelitis, said Ravin.
Folks may be confused, very sleepy, have bad headaches or have profound weakness, Sachinwalla said.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile, instead doctors treat it with supportive care, Ravin said.
“And in about 10% of those cases, you can see patients dying. But overall, that risk is really low when you look at all the people that probably get exposed to West Nile in a given year,” added Sachinwalla.
Those most at risk of severe complications are older people and those with underlying health conditions, Ravin said.
Here’s how you can protect yourself from West Nile, mosquitoes and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
West Nile is one of many mosquito-borne illnesses, but protection looks the same whether you’re worried about this virus, eastern equine encephalitis, another mosquito-borne illness or just itchy bug bites.
Mosquitoes breed and spend time in areas with stagnant, standing water. This could be ponds, but also bird baths and buckets of water in your backyard, experts told HuffPost. To reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, dump standing water, and gather buckets and other items that can collect water before it rains, said Crumbley.
Overgrown grass, leaf piles and other similar areas offer hiding places for mosquitoes, Crumbley added. You should maintain these areas in your yard or consider reaching out to a pest control company to come in and treat the area.
When you are outside, it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants, Ravin said. Applying insect repellent also helps keep bugs from biting.
You should make sure you reapply your insect repellent throughout the day and put it on after sunscreen, added Sachinwalla. “It’s more effective that way,” he said.
You should also be more cautious during certain times of day; the mosquito that spreads West Nile, known as the Culex mosquito, “typically bites at around dusk and dawn, as far as time during the day. That’s when they’re most active,” said Ravin.
If you do notice concerning symptoms of West Nile, let your doctor know, but a fear of this virus shouldn’t keep you inside in the summer, experts said. Instead, follow safety precautions and stay in touch with your medical provider if you do notice anything off.
Looking for mosquito repellants? People swear by these:
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Amazon
A summer camp staple powered by DEET
HuffPost’s editorial operations coordinator, Alexandra Niforos, said that the Off Deep Woods aerosol spray was a tried-and-true repellent through 13 years of summer camp. This classic formula uses 25% DEET to fend off mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers for up to eight hours.
“DEET is registered with the EPA and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It is the gold standard, if you will, for repellents because it’s highly effective in most situations,” Daniel Markowski, a technical advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA), said, cautioning that it’s not recommended to use products that contain more than a 30% concentration of DEET, given more recent concerns regarding its toxicity.
Amazon
A clean-feeling repelling mist powdered by picaridin
When we asked HuffPost staff if there were any mosquito repellents that they swore by, this Off Clean Feel mist was one of the most-mentioned products that users appear to favor for its efficacy and non-sticky and lightweight feeling.
It uses 20% picaridin, a synthetic repellent that, according to Markowski, “has proven to be very effective against a number of mosquito species. It’s also odorless and less likely to irritate your skin.”
This DEET-free mist promises to be quick-drying, offer up to eight hours of mosquito-repelling protection and is dispensed in this soft-spray bottle that works from every angle.
Another expert we spoke to, Sonja Swiger, an entomology professor at Texas A&M University, said that this active ingredient, which can also repel ticks and biting midges, is safe for children and pregnant people.
Walmart
A non-sticky cream with an unique formula
According to senior breaking news reporter Sanjana Karanth, “this [cream] is the only thing that has even remotely protected me from mosquitoes during India’s monsoon season.” Formulated in India, the Dabur Odomos cream is a non-sticky formula that uses diethylbenzamide, a unique and less common ingredient that “masks the distinctive body odour that the human skin typically emits, making you virtually invisible to mosquitoes,” according to the brand.
Odomos is also enriched with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidant-rich vitamin E and almond oil, a trusted moisturizer for the skin.
“Lotions are especially good to make applications to sensitive areas like the face (or for children),” Markowski said.
Amazon
A spray- and scent-free repelling device
HuffPost senior editor Shonitria Anthony lives in Georgia, where, according to her, mosquitoes feast on humans for fun, and her patio is no exception.
“The mosquitoes made eating al fresco impossible. Until I discovered the Thermacell rechargeable mosquito repeller. It really works! It creates an invisible barrier of about 20 feet, and it holds well,” Anthony said. “My family and/or friends and I can sit outside completely unbothered by mosquitoes… HEAVEN! ”
The Thermacell Patio Shield is a no-spray mosquito-repelling device that promises up to 15 feet of pest-free protection, without the use of DEET or any harsh scent. Instead, it uses a compact fuel cartridge to warm up and diffuse the repelling product.
“Thermacell-like options or space-filling devices have been shown to be effective, but many of those rely on a device that disseminates a chemical into the area [or] space in which it is located or around the person it is attached to,” Swiger explained.
Amazon
A botanical-infused DEET-free spray
“Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a natural insect repellent that is derived from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree,” Swiger said. She called these oil of lemon eucalyptus-containing formulas as proven to be effective at repelling mosquitoes and ticks.
This Repel DEET-free spray protects for up to six hours, has a refreshing and non-sticky feel on the skin and has nearly 42,000 ratings on Amazon.
“[These] products are not safe for use on children under the age of 3 years old,” Swiger said.
Amazon
A cult-favorite bug bite-relief suction tool
This list just wouldn’t be complete without the Bug Bite Thing suction tool, a simple device that can come to the rescue after you’ve been bitten by mosquitoes and other flying pests.
“I’m almost too embarrassed to admit how much I believe in this thing, but I’m convinced it works,” said HuffPost’s news director, Paige Lavender. Senior shopping reporter Lourdes Avila Uribe and former shopping writer Haley Zovickian are also known devotees of this product.
Lavender wouldn’t be alone in her passion for the Bug Bite Thing, which has been a recurring favorite item among HuffPost readers and newsroom members alike. First spotted on Shark Tank and created by a mother-daughter duo, it has close to 97,000 Amazon ratings and works by suctioning out insect venom, saliva and other irritants left under the skin to prevent that dreaded post-bite itching, swelling and discomfort.
Amazon
An after-bite itch-erasing pen
Another post-bite solution comes at the recommendation of editorial director Kristen Aiken, who said that the After Bite advanced itch-erasing pens “relieve the itch once it starts, better than anything else I’ve tried.”
This fact-acting formula contains 5% sodium bicarbonate, which can help soothe irritation thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It also comes in these travel-friendly pens that make it a breeze to carry and apply the liquid.
Amazon
A DEET-free repelling spray that uses IR3535
“IR3535 is a synthetic, broad-spectrum repellent developed by Merck to prevent the biting of mosquitoes, ticks and biting midges. It has a topical application and is safe for children and pregnant women,” Swiger said.
Based on this information, we found this highly rated spray by Coleman, which promises to be odorless, non-greasy and safe for sensitive skin. With eight hours of protection time (including against ticks), the Coleman Skinsmart repellent instantly dries on the skin, making it a comfortable choice for those prone to bites of all kinds.
Amazon
A pop-up mosquito net tent
According to LJ Brubaker, a volunteer entomology research assistant at the Ward Lab of Drexel University in Philadelphia, a physical barrier like a mosquito net or tent is the most effective way to keep mosquitoes away. Yet, they warn, not all nets are created equal.
“You’ll want to get one with sturdier mesh that will resist wear and tear,” they said. “Durability is important. Your mosquito net is only effective if it’s not full of tears.”
Based on Brubaker’s guidance, we found this number-one bestselling tent on Amazon that easily pops open to offer physical outdoor protection from mosquitoes. Easy to store and travel with, the pop-up tent features four sides of ultra-fine mesh, two-sided zip entry and UPF 50+-coated doors to protect against the sun. It comes in four sizes.
Amazon
Non-toxic and mosquito-repelling “dunks” for standing water
Brubaker also previously said that another effective way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard is to treat spots with standing water, like an old flower pot that’s started to collect rainwater or a birdbath that doesn’t get changed regularly.
“Mosquitos breed in small- to medium-sized areas of standing water; their larval stage is in water,” Brubaker said. “If mosquitoes are able to breed near you, it’s going to be harder to deter them.”
The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District suggests using Mosquito Dunks, a larvicide you can put in standing water that hinders future mosquito breeding, but is non-toxic to other plants and animals. They found that using a half or even a quarter of a disk has the same effect as using a whole one.
REI
A permethrin spray for clothing and gear
“Permethrin isn’t so much of a repellent as it is an insecticide. For that reason, it is meant to be applied to clothing only,” Markowski said. “It is relatively safe, but it’s been known to cause irritation in some cases. It can also be applied to gear, such as tents.”
Add an extra layer of protection to your clothing, shoes and gear with this unscented and editor-chosen permethrin spray by Sawyer that bonds to fabric fibers and repels ticks and 55 other insects, including mosquitoes. Available in both an aerosol or pump-spray formula, the treatment is effective for up to six weeks or six washings, and it won’t stain or damage fabric and other surfaces.
Amazon
Citronella-powered mosquito-repelling incense
Senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe swears by Murphy’s Naturals mosquito repellent incense, which uses five plant-based oils — lemongrass, rosemary, cedarwood, citronella and peppermint — to keep bugs away.
“In my opinion, these incense sticks have an incredibly pleasant smell that is just as memorable and oddly soothing as a citronella candle. I also love that they can be housed in chic incense burners that match the aesthetic of the outdoor area, elevating the vibe as a whole while also working to keep mosquitoes away,” Uribe previously wrote.
According to Markowski, plant-based ingredients like citronella, lavender and peppermint can serve as natural alternatives to synthetic mosquito repellents and, while they are less effective than their synthetic counterparts, they are unlikely to cause side effects. Swiger added that mosquitoes generally will not fly through the smoke or scent of the candle, but that could have a limited impact in larger areas.
Anthony, who previously mentioned that she swears by her Thermacell, also likes pairing the device with the candle version of these incense to keep her patio blessedly mosquito-free.
Amazon
A heated bug bite-relief tool
Senior breaking news reporter Sara Boboltz said that she’s heard good things about this innovative insect bite healer that heats skin to a temperature capable of breaking down the compounds in a bug bite that cause it to itch. Effective almost immediately, the non-toxic and chemical-free pen takes just three to six seconds to work and can also reduce redness, swelling and accelerate the healing process of a bug bite.
Amazon
An industrial outdoor fan
The AMCA website also cites large fans as a potentially effective mosquito-repelling solution since these insects are relatively weak flyers, and this tactic has even been previously put to the test by The New York Times.
Based on this, we found this commercial-grade outdoor fan that can be mounted on walls or ceilings surrounding patios or deck areas. Available in two sizes, this powerful and weatherproof fan has three adjustable speeds that are easily controlled through a pull-chain.
Southern States
A first of its kind clothing and gear insect repellent
Finally, Swiger spoke of a product that’s quite literally the first of its kind in the world of mosquito repellents: BioUD, a clothing and gear spray that’s fairly new to market.
“2-Undecanone, also known as BioUD, is the newest product on the list and is derived from wild tomatoes. It is produced synthetically but can also be extracted from various plant sources,” Swiger said of this EPA-approved treatment that can protect against mosquitoes and ticks that may transmit West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease and other insect-borne diseases for up to 4 1/2 hours.