This is a hot topic right now: how do you protect yourself against mosquitoes? With the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes, past outbreaks of chikungunya and now the Zika virus alongside dengue fever, it's worth revisiting the basics of mosquito protection — especially when travelling to tropical regions or on hiking or trekking trips.
What are the risks?
In 99% of cases, it has to be said that the nuisance of mosquitoes is limited to itching and redness. Even so, these are very unpleasant, and each person reacts to them to a greater or lesser degree. In any case, it can ruin a few nights' sleep and cause persistent discomfort for several days.
While serious cases are rare, they should not be taken lightly:
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes persistent fever and severe arthralgia (joint pain). Other symptoms include myalgia, headaches, nausea, fatigue and various skin rashes. There is no cure for this disease. Treatment is essentially symptomatic.
Dengue is a viral infection also transmitted by mosquitoes. It rapidly produces a flu-like syndrome and can occasionally progress to potentially life-threatening complications, known as severe or haemorrhagic dengue (more common when dengue is contracted for the second time). The global incidence of dengue has increased dramatically over recent decades. It is now estimated that nearly half of the world's population is at risk of dengue.
Dengue is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a particular predilection for urban and semi-urban areas.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. Those affected generally present with a mild fever, a skin rash (exanthem) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally disappear within 2 to 7 days. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine.
As we can see, mosquitoes and ticks can carry sometimes serious diseases. Few treatments exist once infected, so the best form of prevention is to protect yourself effectively and proactively against mosquito bites.
How to protect yourself against mosquitoes?
The first thing to do is avoid them! To maximise your chances of not crossing paths with mosquitoes, stay away from anything damp: ponds, marshy ground, water reservoirs… in general all stagnant water. Keep away from any containers holding stale or standing water. Wear covering clothing for optimal protection — long sleeves top and bottom, along with a pair of high socks, will give you the best cover. Finally, to avoid them you also need to know their schedule! Generally, mosquito activity peaks in the early morning just before sunrise and in the evening after sunset. But the infamous tiger mosquitoes that carry viruses are also active during the day, so stay alert!
It sounds simple and like common sense, but the first line of defence against mosquitoes is clothing. The more skin you leave uncovered, the greater your chances of being bitten — that goes without saying. That said, it is difficult to be completely covered from head to toe, but it is a very useful precaution in at-risk countries and also on forest hikes, for example, or during the hours when mosquitoes are most active.
General tips
Wear covering clothing in lighter colours. Dark outfits, which absorb heat, attract mosquitoes very effectively.
Shower after exertion, as sweat is a very powerful attractant.
Run a fan or the air conditioning in equipped rooms — mosquitoes dislike both wind and cool air.
Avoid perfumes and scented products, which attract them.
Equip yourself with a mosquito net: you can find foldable, portable ones that transform into a kind of canopy you can place in your tent or over your bed. It is the best protection in tropical countries and nothing better has been invented since! If you have young children, it is essential equipment: repellents and insecticides are not suitable for babies.
In at-risk areas, also fit mosquito nets to windows. This advice applies equally in the UK without issue: you can find mosquito nets (a kind of lightweight curtain) that fit windows easily.
Skin repellents
Skin repellents often come in spray form — avoid spraying directly towards the eyes and mucous membranes. They are also available in cream or gel formulations.
While brands and references for repellents are numerous, the active substances used are fewer. Products mainly rely on DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR 3535, icaridin, plant extracts, citronella or essential oils. The most effective products are DEET-based, at 30 or 50%. They are recommended in all areas where mosquitoes risk transmitting dengue, chikungunya or malaria.
Manufacturers are often quite optimistic about protection duration, claiming 8 hours or sometimes more. In reality, it is always less, and varies depending on the individual and the conditions (rain, sweat…). When a product is effective, the average protection time measured in laboratory tests is closer to 4 hours. In practice, you need to reapply as soon as you sense mosquitoes closing in. Simple as that.
Other products
Insecticides
They are designed to kill mosquitoes, which means they require specific chemical compounds. They contain active substances that are harmful to health, so use them in moderation.
Aerosol sprays containing a pyrethroid insecticide are remarkably effective. On the label, in the composition section, these substances can be identified by their names ending in "thrin" (transfluthrin, tetramethrin…).
As a general rule, only use insecticide if you notice a mosquito invasion in the evening in a room left open. Do not use it to spray an entire house as a preventive measure. And above all, do not stay in the cloud for the 15 minutes following spraying.
Electric diffusers that plug into a power socket are sometimes effective, sometimes less so. This depends on their composition, even though all of them also use pyrethroids as their insecticide.
Burning coils containing a pyrethroid compound are fairly effective, but must be used exclusively outdoors and work within a radius of 1m to 1.5m maximum.
Anti-mosquito clothing
Finally, there is a solution that many people are not yet aware of, and which is particularly well suited for travel, trekking or hiking: anti-mosquito clothing, particularly effective at protecting against mosquitoes. There are several types, but it is worth drawing your attention to an interesting and biologically sound innovation. A molecule called chitin, naturally secreted by crustaceans, has recently begun to be used as a natural mosquito repellent. Travel clothing of all kinds is now impregnated with it: shorts, trousers, shirts, short-sleeved shirts…
Not only is it a natural product, it is also odourless, has no effect on human skin, and requires no effort whatsoever. No more needing to remember to apply lotion or worrying about leaving the spray back at the hotel room. Simply put on your anti-mosquito clothing in the morning and you are protected. Your protection is active instantly and with no time limit. It acts as a highly effective first barrier against these little pests. What's more, nothing about these garments reveals that they have built-in protection: no smell, no substance, no colour change. Invisible protection, in short!
Of course, nothing stops you from combining this natural, effective and effortless solution with conventional methods for maximum protection. It's up to you, depending perhaps on the level of risk and the density of those tiny predators!
In any case, it is a very practical, low-cost form of protection (a slight premium over a standard garment price) that guarantees a baseline level of protection over time. If you head out on a hike, for example: after a few hours when your spray has worn off and you need to think about reapplying, you know you are at least wearing an anti-mosquito garment that will repel the boldest attackers, forming a first layer of passive protection.
Of course, there is no need to fall into exaggerated paranoia, but protecting yourself against mosquitoes should not be taken lightly. Common sense rules and the right tools are more than enough to ward off the majority of the threat. It is the bare minimum to maintain a degree of comfort and avoid spending an entire day or evening in the grip of very unpleasant itching. With our tips and a good choice of travel clothing, for example, you can be almost certain to fully enjoy your hikes or travels even in the most exposed tropical countries.
