Bites, stings and contact of some insects cause unpleasant reactions and some may transmit diseases. Mosquitos, ticks, black flies, sand flies, tsetse flies, fleas, mites and lice transmit disease.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET (e.g. RID, Bushman’s) to exposed skin. Avoid eyelids, lips and damaged skin. Some insect repellents come combined with sunscreen – good for daytime protection
- Wear long sleeved clothing and long pants / dresses (light coloured) and socks
- Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active: between dusk and dawn
- Avoid perfumes and aftershaves as the aroma may attract some insects
- Close doors and windows at night or protect them with screens
- Spray inside room / house with aerosol insecticide (for flying insects) at dusk, after closing doors and windows
- Overhead fans or air conditioners are effective in hindering mosquitoes from landing
- Use a mosquito proof bed net (preferable impregnated with insecticide – eg. permethrin), with edges tucked under mattress. Ensure the net is not torn
- Treat clothes with insecticide eg permethrin
- Burn mosquito coils or mosquito mats
- Keep away from stagnant or standing water (mosquito breeding grounds)
Note: for ticks wear long clothing and socks and, put insect repellent on ankles under clothing
Mosquito borne diseases include: Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Rift Valley Fever, Dengue Fever (daytime mosquito) and Yellow Fever (daytime mosquito in Africa and South America only)