Stay inside at dusk and dawn.

Dusk and dawn are the worst times for mosquitoes. If you want to avoid getting bitten, don’t be outside around sunrise or sunset.

Most mosquito species are crepuscular — they feed during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk. That’s when the air is cooler and more humid, which mosquitoes love. The sun isn’t strong enough to dry them out, and the wind often dies down. It’s their prime hunting time.

That said, there are exceptions. Aedes mosquitoes (the ones that carry dengue and Zika) will bite all day, especially in shady spots. And some species, like Culex (carriers of West Nile), are most active a few hours after sunset. But for a general rule: if the sun is low, stay covered or go inside.

This is the simplest change you can make to cut down on bites. Plan your evening walks early or wait until full dark if you’re not in a tropical area.