Not all bug sprays are created equal, and only a selection will ward off the mosquitos that carry Zika. To make sure you’re really getting effective coverage, you should choose an EPA-registered repellent with either DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or 2-undecanone. The EPA has a search tool to help you pick the right one for you based on the specific protection you need.

Cover as much skin as possible, and wear light colors since they’re less likely to attract bugs. There’s an extra step you can take, too: wearing clothing made specifically to repel mosquitos. Brands like L.L. Bean, ExOfficio, and Nobitech sell clothing coated in an EPA-approved permethrin insect repellent to fend off the nuisances — and they’ve been selling out since Zika was first reported in the U.S. in July. The companies claim the bug repellent can last for up to 70 washes.

Want to receive the latest updates on Zika? There's an app for that. Even though the World Heath Organization's Zika app was created as a tool for health care workers, it’s also informative for travelers who want the most current situation reports (such as alerts that the Caribbean islands St. Kitts and Nevis are now reporting Zika cases for the first time). The app is free for Android and iPhone and comes in several languages.

If you want to be 100% safe, consider steering clear of the CDC's list of areas that have reported local cases of Zika, which includes popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and now South Florida, too. This is especially true if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant in the next few months, since the virus can cause birth defects. Luckily, there are many other embarkation ports all around the U.S., and itineraries to destinations around the world that have not seen signs of the virus. It could be a great excuse to see a new part of the world you maybe haven’t considered. Australia, anyone?

If you do travel to a Zika-affected area, try to limit your time outside and avoid places where the windows have been left open for a long period of time. And remember, these mosquitos bite during night and day, so just because the sun hasn’t gone down doesn’t mean you are in the clear. It pays to apply your bug spray often.