Locals on alert after one confirmed dead from West Nile

Concerns over the West Nile virus continue after the Centers for Disease says one person has died in Alabama because of the virus.

"Yeah it's mosquito time. It's mosquito season," Joe Phillips at Mark's Outdoors said.

More customers are starting to ask at Mark's Outdoors how to protect themselves.

"Everyone is familiar with the term DEET. The [repellents] that have a higher DEET percentage are (sic) going to give the maximum coverage," Phillips said.

Another hot item is Thermacell. Users burn a cartridge which gives off a smell to repell mosquitoes. These devices are portable and there is a lantern you can put out on a porch and deck.

"Basically what you got is 15 feet in all directions. It's mosquito free coverage," Phillips said.

Over at Huffstutler's Hardware in Homewood, customers are also coming in looking for help.

"Now the fear of the West Nile is starting to circulate, definitely being concerned about the mosquitoes," Todd Huffstutler said.

Huffstutler says if you want to kill mosquitoes you can use mosquito dumps for standing water like bird baths and potted plants. You can use a spray to kill mosquitoes in your yard. If you just want to repell the insects while you enjoy the outdoors, use tiki torches and citronelle candles.

"We are asking them questions when the come in. They say I want a spray. Do you want bug spray for yourself, for you or for your plants? Are you having a party?" Huffstutler said.

Even football fans are looking for ways to protect their families during the big game next week in Dallas, Texas. Dallas County has had 11 people die from illnesses related to West Nile Virus.

Some fans traveling to the Alabama-Michigan game are taking no chances.

"My wife informed me about it. She said are we still going? I said yes. We are going to take precautions. The game is going to be at night. I want everything covered," John Brown said.

Brown bought a spray repellant at Mark's Outdoors Thursday.

The CDC recommends following directions and precautions while using personal spray repellents:

-Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

-Do not apply to hands, or near eyes and mouth of young children.

-Use just enough to cover exposed skin.

-Do not use under clothing.

"I don't want anything too strong that will hurt my kids. We will be out there all day long. We are going take them to Six Flags Saturday. So we will be out there all day. I want something to make sure we are going to protected the bottom line," Brown said.

Phillips says there is also a product to put on your clothing.

"Then you have something called permethrin that a lot of manufacturers will put in that stuff that you spray on your clothing actually."

Meanwhile, Brown doesn't want any worries except a big win for the Crimson Tide.

"I want to be sure we have everything covered. Mosquitoes are attracted to me. I know my boys are also. I want to make sure we come back alive," Brown joked.

The CDC will not comment on where the person who died from West Nile lives. There have been reported cases all over the state, including in Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved. WSFA contributed to this report.