Officials at the University of Maryland say that because of the recent heavy rains, this is likely to be a bumper year for mosquitoes.
Getting bitten is no fun, but there might be more than discomfort involved if you're bitten by a bug carrying the West Nile virus or encephalitis.
But you can increase your odds of avoiding infection if you take precautions recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
CDC's tips include:
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Be careful to apply such lotions carefully and according to directions.
