With the Zika Virus finally spreading in the U.S, many people are frightened that they may be infected by the frightening virus. This has led many people to spend extraordinary amounts of money in order to prevent potential bites. There are many methods discussed online that won’t do a thing to help you prevent bites, so you could end up losing money if you’re not careful. These ten tips will help you feel a little safer while Zika is such a big concern, without forcing you to spend a small fortune. So, don’t stress out just yet, because there are a few ways to prepare for this problem before it comes to your neighborhood.

1. Repellent
Without a doubt, one of the best things you can do is use repellent to keep the mosquitos away. You should always choose a repellent with at least 30 to 50% DEET in order to properly protect yourself from mosquito bites. Of course, you should always make sure to read the instructions for use on younger children. Since the type of mosquitos that carry Zika fly during the day and night, you should always apply the repellent before going outside. If you tend to leave the windows open or your door is frequently opened, then you may want to apply the repellent throughout the day and before you go to bed at night. This should help keep you from being bit, so you can rest a little easier at night.

2. Use Mosquito Nets
Another particularly effective method of keeping you safe from mosquitos is to add some mosquito nets around the home. These are best placed in areas that are open often like screen doors or windows. The extra protection will ease your mind while keeping the whole family safe without forcing you to spend a fortune. You can even apply nets to your front and back doors, but you will have to be careful when entering and exiting, especially with young children. Of course, another effective route is to place a mosquito net over beds. This will allow you to sleep without having to stress about being bit during the night time hours.

3. Still Water
If you live near still water you may want to take extra precautions when it comes to your mosquito problems. Mosquitos love stagnant water, which can be a real problem for those avoiding bites, particularly pregnant women. You can easily avoid these areas though to help provide you with extra protection. Of course, stagnant water in or around your home may cause a problem too. For instance, if you have flower pots next to the home then mosquitos may hang around them, which puts you at risk. Thus, if you’re avoiding mosquitos you may want to skip flowers and other plants this year. You should also look out for leaks near the home which may leave you with puddles that could attract the bugs. Maintaining the home and watching out for issues like this are a great way to keep away from these nasty creatures.

4. Clothing
Even though it’s hot, you may want to choose to wear long sleeve tops and pants to help further protect you from mosquitos. Light weight tops and cotton bottoms could be your solution to keeping cool while protecting your skin. However, some mosquitos can bite through layers such as this, so don’t forget to use bug spray for the extra protection. Workout clothes and clothing that protects from the sun are a great option here, because it is too difficult for mosquitos to bite through these fabrics. Keeping your body temperature down is important when choosing clothes too as an escalated body temperature will attract more mosquitos. You should also choose lighter colored clothing in order to keep cooler and detour bugs.

5. Avoid Certain Locations
For the past year, the news has been broadcasting about Zika with a list of places you don’t really want to go if you want to avoid the virus. In fact, until recently, the only Zika cases were due to travel or sexual intercourse with someone who had traveled to a country with Zika. Unfortunately, mosquitos carrying the disease have been found in Florida now, so it is going to be even tougher to avoid the virus. However, you can still make sure to steer clear from areas proven to have Zika. Places in Africa and South America have been off-limits for quite some time, but now Florida should be on your list of places to avoid. If you’re not sure where to avoid then you can always check up on the website to make sure you’re going to be safe. If you are pregnant and Zika has moved into your area, then you may want to consider staying with people outside of the area until you are out of your second trimester.

6. Contact Insurance
If you’re really worried about the price of staying mosquito bite free then you may want to contact your insurance company. A lot of companies are actually offering to pay for bug repellent in order to keep their patients safe and sound during this risky time. Your insurance may even be willing to provide you with mosquito nets and other ways to protect yourself. However, it does depend on the company, so make sure you call in ahead of time to ask if the repellent will be covered. In many cases, insurance companies will only offer the repellent to women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. All the same, Medicaid is offering free bug repellant to anyone they cover, so make sure to take them up on the offer, so you have one less expense to stress over in this trying time.

7. Change Diet
As with just about everything, your diet can affect the amount in which you get bit during the summer. Mosquitos are attracted to the CO2 your body produces as well as a high body temperature, so avoiding some foods are a must. Spicy foods are one of the main foods that raises up the body temperature, so if you’re planning on going outdoors you might want to skip out on this delicious treat. Beer, another summer staple, can also cause the mosquitos to bite, so you might want to skip out on drinking at a barbecue or other outdoor activity. Items designed to boost your metabolism are also a no-go, this includes diet supplements too. Some people seem to have good luck with taking B-vitamins though, so you may want to try this out for the summer or just to improve on your health.

8. Do Body Checks
Taking precautions to avoid being bitten isn’t always all you can do to help keep yourself healthy. You should also pay attention to what your body is doing. For instance, one of the symptoms of Zika is the development of a rash. You can use a mirror to check your entire body or ask your partner to do so. You can also check for bite marks you may not have felt. Other than that, you should monitor your symptoms by regularly checking your temperature. If you have a low grade fever, then you may have contacted the virus if bitten. Another symptom is conjunctivitis of the eyes, so make sure your eyes are clear and feeling healthy. You should also move often to make sure you have no joint or muscle pain. Exercise does raise the body temperature for a short while, but afterwards it drops the body temperature, which is great for keeping the bites away Keeping up with your body can help you provide proper information to your doctor, so they can take necessary measures to help your health and the baby’s.

9. Consider Times
If you plan on being outside, then you may want to consider what time you go out. Most mosquitos tend to come out during the evening and remain until sunrise, so you might want to take a rain check on going out during these hours. This will help you avoid the mass majority of mosquitos, but you should always be on high alert. During the day, be aware of your surroundings as the mosquitos that can carry Zika don’t seem to have a preference for when they come out. So, keeping your body safe with bug spray and watching certain areas outside can help you avoid getting bit when you’re out. Of course, staying inside can be one of the best options for those trying to avoid bites altogether. You may also want to keep your windows closed during the evening to sunrise hours to help keep even more bugs out.

10. Talk to Your Doctor
It’s pretty easy to work yourself up into a panic over the Zika virus, but it doesn’t exactly help you when it comes to staying safe during this time. One of your best allies is your doctor who will have a lot more information for you when you pay them a visit. Generally, doctors can help sort out online myths while giving you true advice to keep you safer during this time. Your doctor may even be able to point you in the right direction as to which bug repellent you should be purchasing and using. Of course, if you believe you have Zika then the first thing you should do is make an urgent appointment with your doctor. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis and come up with multiple ways to help you get better while offering advice and monitoring for your baby. The doctor will also be able to answer questions and concerns that should leave you feeling a little more secure during this time.

The Zika virus has become one of the biggest fears for pregnant women or those planning a family, so it’s no wonder that people are willing to hand over money in order to protect themselves from mosquito bites. These ten tips should allow you to feel more secure in your health while saving you some money on items you’ll need to keep yourself protected while the Zika virus begins its spread in this country.