Wanderlust Without The Woes: Tips for Avoiding Insect Bites While Travelling

Travelling to new destinations is a thrilling adventure, but the last thing you want is to be bothered by insect bites. Whether you’re exploring jungles, cities, or beaches, insects can be a nuisance. But fear not, with our guide’s essential tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of insect bites and fully enjoy your journey.

Insect bites and stings

Insect and tick bites are not just a minor irritation, they can lead to serious health issues. These bites can cause local skin damage, allergic reactions, skin infections, and even the spread of infectious diseases. Every year, more than 700,000 people globally lose their lives to diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis. While vaccines or medications can help prevent some diseases, for many, the only way to avoid infection is by avoiding bites.

Research Destination – Specific Risks:

Before jetting off to your destination:  take the time to research the prevalent insect species and associated risks. Certain regions may have higher incidences of mosquito-borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever, or Zika Virus. Understanding these risks will help prepare adequately and take precautions.

During travel:  Avoid stagnant or standing water, where mosquitoes like to breed. To avoid ticks, keep to footpaths and avoid long grass.

 

Pack Insect Repellent:

When it comes to protecting yourself against pesky bugs while travelling, there’s no better defence than insect repellent. Opt for a repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Eucalyptus Citriodora oil, or 3-ethylaminopropionate. The ACMP(Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention) recommends these four ingredients, and 1 should be present in any insect repellent you use. If the repellent does not have 1 of these ingredients (only 1 is needed), then do not use it. (1)

Remember to pack sufficient repellent for the duration of your trip, with a rule of thumb of 50 ml per person per week. This way, you can rest assured that you have a reliable solution to avoid insect bites.

DEET is a highly effective and safe synthetic insect repellent. It comes in varying amounts of the active ingredient, with 50% volume being the strongest. Deet is suitable for topical and sub-tropical areas. However, it can corrode some plastics, so it’s important to avoid getting it on anything other than your skin and wash your hands after applying. Deet is your best protection against bites for backpacking and jungle treks.

Pircaridin, Eucalyptus Citriodora oil and 3-ethylaminopropionate are non-DEET repellents more suited for use in non-malaria areas and areas outside the tropics. Often marketed as sensitive DEET alternatives, these repellents are suitable for small children. They are great for Europe, camping, and walking where there is no risk of malaria. If using in a Malaria area, it is advised that you use at least a 20% preparation and apply more frequently.

How to use insect repellents safely

·        Please keep in mind the following precautions before using mosquito repellents:

·        Do not use over-cuts, irritated or inflamed skin.

·        Do not directly apply repellent to the face. First, apply the repellent to your hands and then to your face to avoid contact with your lips and eyes. After applying, wash your hands thoroughly. Do not apply to forehead, if you sweat it may run into your eyes.

·        Do not apply repellent to children’s hands.

·        Apply and re-apply repellents as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

·        Remove repellent with soap and water when you no longer need it.

·        Make sure repellents are not ingested or inhaled.

·        Pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children over two months of age can use DEET in concentrations of up to 50% unless they are allergic.

·        When both sunscreen and DEET are needed, apply sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply DEET. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to compensate for the reduction in SPF caused by DEET.

·        DEET may damage plastics and artificial fibres, so avoid contact with them. However, it does not damage natural fibres like wool, linen, or cotton.

·        If you prefer not to use DEET-based products use picaridin at a concentration of at least 20%.

 

Dress Appropriately:

Choosing the right clothing can significantly reduce your risk of insect bites while travelling. Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and trousers in light colours, as these can help deter insects and provide added protection against the sun.

If you will be travelling in places with particularly high numbers of biting insects or mosquitoes, treating your clothes and fabrics with insecticide will increase your protection. Permethrin can be used to spray or soak clothing, bags, tents and mosquito nets, killing biters on contact.

Light-coloured clothing helps you see ticks and other insects, but there is no evidence that the colour of clothing is relevant to mosquitoes. (1)

A Repellent is still needed on exposed skin even if the clothing has been treated.

Protect Yourself Whilst Sleeping:

When booking accommodations, prioritise well-screened or air-conditioned options to keep insects at bay. Air conditioning makes the room colder for mosquitoes, and the breeze it generates makes it harder for them to find you. Ceiling fans work in a similar way.

Inspect your room upon arrival for gaps in window screens or doors that could allow insects to enter. If camping or staying in rustic accommodation, use mosquito nets to create a protective barrier around your sleeping area. Pack a small roll of Duct Tape to cover any tears or holes in your window screens. It can also be used to hold your mosquito net up if there is nowhere to insert your hooks.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are really important for protecting exposed skin while you sleep. They create a safe zone where you can sleep without irritation or infection-causing bites.

Keep doors & windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from entering your sleeping space.

Insecticide plug-ins and portable emitters are useful for knocking down biters that have entered your room. Invest in a battery-operated one if you are concerned you may not have electricity where you are staying.

Avoid Peak Insect Activity:

Insect activity varies throughout the day, with peak times typically occurring during dawn and dusk. Plan your outdoor activities, accordingly, avoiding areas with high insect activity during these times. If venturing out during peak hours is unavoidable, take extra precautions by applying insect repellent and wearing protective clothing.

Be Mindful of Food and Drink:

Insects are attracted to certain scents, including those emitted by sugary foods and drinks. Be cautious when dining outdoors or picnicking, as sweet treats and fruity drinks can attract unwanted attention from insects. Keep food and drink covered when possible and dispose of waste promptly to avoid attracting insects.

Myths

Herbal Remedies and Homoeopathy – have not been tested for their ability to prevent malaria, and it is advised that you should not rely on them for this purpose.

 

Buzzers – Electronic bussers are completely ineffective as mosquito repellents. Companies selling them have been prosecuted and fined under the UK Trades Description Act. (1)

 

Vitamin B1, B12, Brewer’s Yeast, Garlic, and other vitamins There is no evidence that these repel mosquitoes and other biting insects.

 

Tea Tree Oil and other bath oils – Again there is no evidence that these repel insects.

 

Alcohol – Alcoholic drinks do not protect against insect bites. It has even been reported that beer consumption increases the attractiveness of malaria mosquitoes. (2)

Gin and Tonic have no mosquito–repellent properties, and the amount of quinine in the tonic water has no effect on malaria parasites.

 

 

Resources

NaTHNaC – Insect and tick bite avoidance (travelhealthpro.org.uk)

References
  1. UK Health Security Agency, Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP), Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom Last updated 16 January 2024. [Accessed 21 March 2024]
  2. Lefèvre T, Gouagna LC, Dabiré KR, Elguero E, Fontenille D, Renaud F, Costantini C, Thomas F. ‘Beer consumption increases human attractiveness to malaria mosquitoes.’ PLoS One 2010 March 4: volume 5, issue 3, :e9546. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009546

 

 

Written by Amanda Howarth – April 2024

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