Mosquito bites
mosquito; mosquitoes; mozzies; bite; sting; inset; repellent; ross; river; virus; bahmah; forest; malaria;;
Contents
In all parts of Australia, mosquitoes are common pests. Mosquitoes mainly breed and bite during the summer months when people spend more time outside.
They can spread several different human infections, depending on where you live. In Southern Australia, they can spread Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus infections, while they may spread malaria and Japanese encephalitis in the far north of Australia. Mosquitoes do not spread HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. See the topic 'Ross River and Barmah Forest diseases'.
There are many different types of mosquito. Some are active in the evening and early morning, while others are most active during the night, or during the day.
For many people, a mosquito bite causes very little if any reaction, while others get a large, red and itchy lump at the site of the bite. When people move from one part of Australia to another they may find that they have a greater reaction to mosquito bites for a while.
Preventing
mosquito bites
- Avoid being outdoors when bites are most likely to happen. Some mosquitoes will bite during the day, but many are at their 'biting best' for two to three hours around sunset and sunrise.
- Wear long-sleeved, loose, light coloured clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing such as jeans.
- Use insect repellents on uncovered skin (see Insect Repellents below). Remember the back of necks and around ankles.
- Mosquitoes breed in still water. Take a look around your yard and empty out any rubbish that may hold water.
- Empty pot plant trays at least weekly or put sand in them to take up the water.
- Keep fish such as small native fish in fishponds or unused swimming pools to eat the baby mosquitoes (wrigglers) as they breed.
- Keep swimming pools chlorinated.
- Empty paddling pools each day, as soon as the children have finished playing in them.
- Empty birdbaths and pets' drinking water bowls at least weekly.
- Put a screen over inlets to rain water tanks (no more than 1mm diameter holes in the screen).
- Use insect screens with fine mesh on windows and doors in houses, tents or caravans.
- Use a mosquito net over beds if mosquitoes cannot be kept out (make sure the net is secure so that a child cannot get tangled in it).
- Children can wear loose long-sleeved pyjamas and sleep under a sheet.
- A moving fan may prevent mosquitoes from landing. Make sure it is not within reach of small children.
Treatment of mosquito bites
- A cold pack or ice pack can help with pain and swelling from bites.
- Anti-histamines may help reduce itchiness and other local symptoms (eg. swelling) if needed - ask your chemist.
Insect repellents
- Use insect repellent containing 10% to 20% DEET (diethyl toluamide) or picaridin on the skin, where it is not covered by clothing (remember ankles, arms and the back of the neck).
- Most personal spray or roll-on insect repellents from your supermarket or chemist are about this strength. Check the label or ask the chemist if you are unsure.
- Check on the label to see if the makers of the repellent say that it is safe for young children. If they do not say it is safe, avoid using it on babies and toddlers.
- Test it on a small area of skin first to be sure there is no reaction.
- Wash off insect repellent before going to bed, unless there are still mosquitoes around.
- Keep repellent away from eyes and mouth and any parts of the hands that may touch eyes and mouth.
- Do not use more insect repellent than you need - it should last 4-6 hours, depending on what you are doing (swimming washes it off and you may need to apply it more often).
- If necessary, children's clothing can be soaked in insect repellent.
- Recently, lemon eucalyptus oil has been scientifically tested and shown to be an effective repellent for mosquitoes, possibly as effective as some repellents containing the more commonly used compounds (DEET and picaridin). Lemon eucalyptus oil is a modified natural oil from the Eucalyptus Citriodora tree, and may be available in some 'natural' insect repellents.
- Household insect sprays and electric vaporisers, mosquito coils and flares or candles that contain citronella oil are safe for children if they are kept out of reach and they are not put onto the skin, but they may not be particularly effective.
Reference
Department of Health SA 'Fight the bite' (Protecting families against mosquitoes)
http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/publications/mozzie-fight-bite-pamph.pdf
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 'Updated Information regarding Insect Repellents'
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.