How to protect yourself from mosquitoes while traveling

You don’t want dodging mosquito bites to become a full time job whilst you are on summer vacation – and you certainly don’t want to expose yourself and your family to the risk of acquiring deadly diseases like malaria, the Zika virus, and West Nile virus, especially if you are traveling to one of the more exotic locations in the world. Follow our expert advice on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes while traveling, and your holiday will be all the better for it. Read on to find out more.

Wear insect repellent

Sometimes the obvious answer really is the right choice. By far the most effective way of preventing mosquito bites to you and your loved ones, is to apply an effective insect repellent to all areas of exposed skin. These repellents come in the form of sprays, lotions, gels and creams – many of the modern ones are also residue- and odor-free – so there are plenty of options there for those of you who want to avoid the messiness associated with these products. The most powerful repellents contain DEET as their active ingredient, however this substance is considered by some to be toxic to humans (as well as the environment) – fortunately there are now many alternative, ‘natural’ insect repellents out there on the market as well – with active ingredients ranging from citronella and eucalyptus oil, to picaridin. However, these repellents are not as potent or long lasting as DEET-containing products, so it is up to you to decide whether the trade off in protection is worth your while.

Wear proper clothing

Another good buffer against mosquito bites is thick, sturdy clothing. When heading outside into mosquito-dense areas during your holiday, be sure then to don thick, long sleeved shirts and pants; try also to tuck your pants into your socks (which should be equally thick!), and your shirt into your pants. You can also purchase special fabrics that have already been treated with insect repellent – very useful if you don’t fancy applying the stuff to your skin – though they may not be the most fashionable threads around!

Use mosquito netting

This is absolutely vital if you are sleeping outside at night. Hang some mosquito netting around your tent or hammock. You can even spray it with insect repellent to give yourself an added layer of protection. And even if you are sleeping indoors, placing some mosquito netting around your bed will be a smart move. Because not only you are an easy target for mosquitoes when you’re sleeping but mosquitoes also have a way of finding their way into the house, even when all the windows are closed.

Avoid peak mosquito times

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so try to avoid being outdoors during these periods of the day. Plan out your activities so you beat ‘mosquito peak hour’.

Wear light colored clothing

Did you know that mosquitoes are drawn to dark colored clothing? It’s true! This is thought to have something to do with the contrast between the shade of the dark clothes and the color of the horizon at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active – but whatever the reason, if you want to minimize your exposure to mosquitoes whilst on holiday, then wear lighter colored outfits. Your best bet is actually to wear neutral, or pastel, colored clothing – since very BRIGHT colors will attract wasps and other insects.

Don’t accessorize

As well as being drawn to dark colored clothing, mosquitoes are attracted to the sweet aroma of deodorants, perfumes, after shaves etc. So when you go on holiday this summer, be sure also to steer clear of the cosmetics! And you should be able to enjoy mosquito-free travels.

Guest post, Author Bio

Karen Thompson is the main editor of InsectCop.net, a mosquito and insect control advice blog that focuses on helping people get rid of pests in and around their homes. We believe that to win the war against pests you must first win many smaller battles by eliminating them step by step. And on InsectCop we help you learn just how to do that!