Travelers Beware of Mosquito Bites
Tropical places are popular tourist destinations. Those who come from cold countries naturally gravitate towards places with warmer climes, especially during the winter season. Still, those who travel to tropical locations should exercise caution as such areas are also teeming with various types of insects, some of which carry dangerous diseases. One example is the mosquito!
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquitoes are minute flying insects that suck blood. As these animals draw blood, they may also pass on whatever diseases they may carry. Many species of mosquitoes are known to transfer dreaded diseases, such as malaria, dengue, encephalitis, yellow fever, and the West Nile virus. These illnesses can be fatal, especially if those affected have suppressed immune systems, or if victims are either very young or very old. Those infected will also most likely die if they ignore early signs and symptoms. It is best to treat these diseases as early as possible to avoid severely weakening patients or to prevent other serious complications.
Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites
There are thousands of mosquito species and for those traveling to tropical countries, it’s best to know how to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Below are some tips.
Know what times mosquitoes bite
Generally, mosquitoes that bring dengue and yellow fever bite during daytime. Most mosquitoes also come out early in the morning, at around 7 to 8 am, as well as during dusk, at about 5 to 6 pm.
Wear suitable attire
Many say that it’s better to wear dark-colored clothes as mosquitoes are attracted to such. However, some have also conducted studies that prove how mosquitoes are attracted to light colors. So, what should a person do? Instead of color, opt for clothing style. For instance, these insects can bite through thin leggings or stockings. So, avoid wearing these and opt for jeans or pants, as well as long-sleeved tops. Those who are planning on trekking through areas with dense vegetation should also wear hats, boots, and neckerchiefs. It’s recommended to tuck in shirts and pants can also be tucked inside socks or boots. Boots are also better compared with flip-flops or sandals as these expose skin.
Use insect repellents
Several types of insect repellents are on hand. There are lotions, creams or sprays. People should know what sort of substances are in the mosquito repellents that they are using so that they’ll also be aware of how long their protection will last. For instance, some lotions with more than 30% DEET can last for 5 hours or more, while those with less DEET are effective only for a few hours. This means that lotion must be re-applied depending on how long a person is going to stay outdoors. It is also a must to put on lotion when eating outdoors since there are loads of mosquitoes under tables and chairs.
Other outdoor repellents include citronella in many forms. There are citronella bands, candles, or oil for burners. Aside from citronella, mosquito coils can also be used. Those who dislike the smell produced by usual coils can go for scented ones, such as the lavender-scented mosquito coils.
Use Mosquito Nets
When staying in a place where there’s a mosquito epidemic, it will be best to enhance protection by using mosquito nets. People can stay inside nets when sleeping, even though they’re staying in an air-conditioned room.
The article is by Claire Clarke. She is a freelance writer who often blogs about pest management. She writes for Insight Pest Solutions and other known pest control companies.