If you live in or are traveling to an area where malaria is common, take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you should:

Cover your skin:Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck in your shirt, and tuck pant legs into socks.

Apply repellent to clothing:Sprays containing permethrin are safe to apply to clothing.

Sleep under a net:Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticides, such as permethrin, help prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.