What personal protective measures should be advised to clients to reduce mosquito bite risk outside treatment areas?

• A. Wearing bright colors to deter mosquitoes.
• B. Relying on scented candles and fans only.
• C. EPA-registered repellents (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus), long clothing, avoiding peak biting times, and removing standing water.
• D. Spraying indoors with residual pesticides.

Answer: (C)

Protecting people outside treatment zones relies on a combination of personal protection and source reduction. The best approach is to use EPA-registered repellents on exposed skin and clothing, wear long sleeves and pants to minimize skin exposure, avoid mosquitoes’ peak biting times (dawn and dusk), and remove standing water where mosquitoes breed. This combination provides proven, practical protection you can rely on while outdoors.

Other options fall short because scented candles and fans offer limited, inconsistent protection; wearing bright colors does not reliably deter mosquitoes; and indoor spraying with residual pesticides targets indoor pests and isn’t a personal protection measure for outdoor areas.