Insect bite prevention

Protective clothing

• Wear clothing that covers up exposed skin.
• Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors between dusk and dawn (dark colours attract mosquitos).

Screens and bed nets

• Sleep inside screened areas, under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room.
• Use bed nets that are rectangular in size, filled with permethrin, an insect repellent, every 6 months and tucked tightly under the mattress before dusk.

Insect repellent

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin when outdoors. Health Canada completes reviews of insect repellents that are registered in Canada, those containing DEET are the most effective.
• Use insect repellent with a 30% concentration of DEET. This should provide up to 6 hours of protection for adults.

• Wear light coloured clothing outdoors. It makes ticks easier to spot.
• Wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
• Wear closed footwear and socks, never sandals, when walking through fields or woods.
• Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use a tick repellent containing DEET. Apply it to your skin and outer clothing.
• Put a tick and flea collar on your pets and check them periodically.
• Search your body well for ticks after walking through fields or woods. Pay special attention to areas such as the groin, scalp, and armpits.

Caution:

• Insect repellent containing high concentrations of DEET can increase a person’s risk of experiencing toxic effects.
• Apply repellent only to exposed skin.
• Avoid applying repellents to parts of children’s hands that are likely to come in contact with their eyes or mouth.
• Never use repellents on wounds or irritated skin.
• Wash all areas of skin sprayed with insect repellent after you come indoors.
• In Canada, DEET products are not recommended for use on children less than 6 months of age.