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With smart use of insect control products and additional measures, you can protect your family from mosquitos that may carry dangerous insect-borne diseases. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Apply insect repellent when you are going to be outdoors during mosquito season, and keep in mind that mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.
• Use proven repellents such as those containing DEET, Picardin, 3,8-diol — they provide protection from mosquito bites.
• If you'll be outside at a particularly buggy time, wear shoes, socks, a hat, long pants and long sleeves to give mosquitoes the least access to your skin.
• Keep window screens closed in the home, to ensure mosquitoes can't get in; if you don't have screens, use indoor repellents such as mosquito nets and Raid^® liquid electric.
• Stop mosquitoes from breeding near your home by managing standing water (that's where they lay eggs!) — empty buckets, gutters and other receptacles, cover wading pools, keep pools and fountains clean, and change water in bird baths frequently.
• Keep an eye on the news for public advisories related to dengue, West Nile Virus and other diseases that could be peaking in your area.

• Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean to keep cockroaches out.
• Keep food and garbage in airtight containers.
• Don't leave out any source of water, such as glasses on the counter or wet dishes in the sink — it's a cockroach magnet.
• If you suspect a roach problem, use roach baits, such as those from the Raid^® brand.
• Don't smoke in the home, and don't let guests do so either.
• Control dust — vacuum carpets and furniture, dust all surfaces and clean fan blades and blinds once a week.
• Use dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses.
• Wash bedding in hot water once a week and dry on high heat to kill dust mites.
• Choose stuffed animals for children that can be laundered, and wash them frequently in hot water and dry on high heat.
• Fix leaky pipes that could cause mold and mildew.
• Clean any mold and mildew as soon as you discover it with a quality cleaner like Scrubbing Bubbles^® bathroom cleaner.
• Run a fan for at least 20 minutes after showers or baths to vent warm, moist air.