With summer, comes mosquitos. Recently, it seems as though the pesky little insects are getting the best of everyone. Reporter Kate Schell tells you what to look for to keep yourself from becoming a mosqito magnet.

While the smell of bug spray isn't always pleasant...the protection it provides can be invaluable..

(Michelle Feist/ND Health Dept.) "So far we haven't had any West Nile Virus activity. There has been some birds that have been tested. They have been negative. A couple horses and a number of humans that have been tested also, but so far we havent had any West Nile Virus activity." Activity which can increasewhen mosquitos become infected by the virus. According to the Health Department, it is as dusk and dawn that mosquitos are most active

(Michelle Feist/ND Health Dept.) "Try and limit your activities during those times of the day or those times fo the evening and night because thatss when these mosquitos are coming out and taking their blood meals." After these meals, mosquitos become full. But it is your arm that is now full of bites. (Michelle Feist/ND Health Dept.) "To protect yourself from mosquito bites there is a number of things you can do. The best thing you can do is to wear repellent and your going to want to wear repellant on any exposed skin and then also on the outside of your clothing because if you have clothing that is thin and maybe tight fittingsometimes mosquitos can bite through that." But not every insect repellent will do the job. The health department says look for products with particular ingredients

(Michelle Feist/ND Health Dept.) "Deet, pecaridin,Oil of Lemon and Eucalyptus, and IR3535." With the variety of products offered, Michelle says, combination products which include SPF and insect repellent are not always the best option

(Michelle Feist/ND Health Dept.) "When people are applying sunscreen they typically do that more frequently that they do insect repellent. Insect repellent doesnt have to be applied as often as sun screen does. So preferably to use those separately. And what you want to do is first apply the sun screen and then apply the repellent on top of that." Over applying insect repellent can cause skin irritation. It is important to follow the directions of the product's label to get the best results

With KX News, I'm Kate Schell.

The health department says a good rule of thumb when puchasing is to remeber, the higher the concentration of active ingredient, the longer the product will work for you. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list