By Peggy O'Farrell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

(Randy Mazzola/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Soon the cicadas will be gone, and we'll be battling a more persistent, buzzing winged pest: the mosquito. Mosquitoes are nasty critters. They swarm. They bite. They spread diseases such as encephalitis and West Nile virus.

But a few new gadgets and some common sense can keep skeeters away from your home and loved ones.

If it's any consolation, humans aren't mosquitoes' first choice for food, says Steve Divine, director of environmental services for the Northern Kentucky Health Department. They prefer birds, horses and other animals.

Keep those BITERS away

Stay inside during the hours when mosquitoes are most active - dusk and dawn - or use extra precautions. Use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin to keep mosquitoes away. For a natural alternative, citronella and pyrethrum have been found to be effective. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks outside to prevent bites. If mosquitoes are heavy or the fabric is thin, apply DEET directly to clothing. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For more

• Get them where they live

But human blood will work in a pinch, so it's important to keep mosquitoes away from you. Here are some tips:

• Bug zappers don't really work well for mosquitoes: The devices use ultraviolet light to attract insects, and mosquitoes aren't attracted by light. But several manufacturers make devices to attract and then trap mosquitoes or to scare them away.

• One of the newest is Black & Decker's Mosquito Halo Mosquito Inhibitor System. The portable device operates on batteries and uses a combination of scent and ultrasonic sound to prevent mosquitoes from zeroing in on human targets.The Mosquito Halo's suggested retail price is $19.99, which includes six scented cartridges.

• Mosquito traps use carbon dioxide to attract them, then suck them in so they dehydrate. Several models are available.

American Biophysics Corp. recently introduced a line of cordless Mosquito Magnet traps. Suggested retail prices range $695 to $1,395. They're available from Frontgate catalog (www.frontgate.com), Amazon.com and Ace and Do-It-Best stores.

Divine doesn't recommend mosquito traps for smaller properties or homes in crowded subdivisions.

"Yes, you're trapping them, but you're drawing them into your yard and into the neighborhood," Divine says. The traps are better suited for large properties or homes in rural areas, he says.

• Candles, sprays and lotions utilizing citronella, pyrethrum and other natural ingredients also repel mosquitoes and other insects.

E-mail pofarrell@enquirer.com.