Mosquito bites

mosquito; mossies; bites; malaria; ross; river; virus; wrigglers;

Contents

• Preventing mosquito bites
• Treatment of mosquito bites
• Insect repellents
• Reference

In all parts of Australia, mosquitoes are common pests. Mosquitoes mainly breed and bite during the summer months when people spend more time outside.

Mossies 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.

There are many different types of mosquito. Some are active in the evening and early morning, while others are most active during the night.

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. Some people seem to be 'mosquito magnets' unfortunately for them. When people move from one part of Australia to another, they may find that they have more of a 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 your body as possible. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing such as jeans.
• Use insect repellents on uncovered skin (see Insect Repellents below). Remember to put it on the back of your neck and around your ankles.
• Mosquitoes breed in still water. Take a look around your yard and empty out any rubbish that might hold water.
• Keep fish such as small native fish in fishponds or unused swimming pools to eat the baby mosquitoes (wrigglers).
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated. Empty paddling pools each day.
• Empty birdbaths and pets' drinking water bowls at least once every week.
• 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.
• Put on insect repellent before going to bed when camping anywhere near water.

Treatment of mosquito bites

• A cold pack or ice pack can help with pain and swelling from bites.
• Anti-histamine tablets may help with itching and swelling if needed - ask your chemist.
• Calamine lotion or treatments you can buy from the chemist can soothe an itchy bite and even the old remedy of dabbing a little washing bleach on the bite using cotton wool may help.

Insect repellents

• Use insect repellent containing 10% to 20% DEET (diethyl toluamide) or containing 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.
  • Test it on a small area of skin first to be sure there is no reaction (put it on and leave it for a couple of hours to see if you have a reaction).
  • Wash off insect repellent before going to bed, unless there are still mosquitoes around.
  • 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.
• 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 (Lemon scented gum), and it may be available in some 'natural' insect repellents.
• Household insect sprays and electric vaporisers, mosquito coils and flares or candles that contain citronella oil may not be particularly effective.

Reference

Department of Health South Australia. 'Fight the bite'. (Protecting families against mosquitoes)

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 Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).