Using Mosquito Repellent: Everything You Need to Know

Mosquito repellent is a must-take item that’ll protect you when travelling overseas. 

What is a mosquito bite?

Mosquito bites are itchy, swollen bumps that appear after a mosquito has punctured your skin and fed on your blood. The bites are usually completely harmless and clear up on their own in a few days, but mosquitoes can infect you with various diseases. That’s why travellers should take all the precautionary steps to prevent getting bitten by a mosquito. 

Are there different types of mosquitoes?

Depending on where you travel in the world, getting a mosquito bite is a common part of travelling. But did you know there are different species of mosquitoes – some which bite at nighttime and others during the day?

If you’ve been bitten at night, it was probably by an Aedes mosquito. If you’ve been bitten during the day, it was probably a Culex or Anopheles mosquito.

Certain species of mosquitoes carry certain diseases too:

Aedes mosquitoCulex mosquito Anopheles mosquito 
Dengue
Zika virus 
Yellow fever
Chikungunya		Japanese encephalitisMiliaria 

What is the best mosquito repellent in the UK?

Mosquito repellent is a simple yet super effective way of minimising your risk of getting bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito. Thankfully, mosquito repellent is relatively cheap too – you just need to make sure it’s the right kind.

The best mosquito repellents in the UK contain DEET, so always check the label to see if the bottle contains it. The percentage of DEET can vary from bottle to bottle too, ranging from 20% to 50%. This percentage corresponds to the length of time it is effective on the skin.

Here at London Vaccination Clinic, we recommend you put mosquito repellent on first thing in the morning, and then reapply during the day – particularly at dusk (when you’re most at risk of mosquito bites). You can also minimize the risk of getting bitten by wearing covering clothing and sleeping in an air conditioned room, with a mosquito net. 

Visit us before your travels

Watch our short YouTube video for more information on mosquito repellent. Our CEO and specialist immunisation and travel health nurse, Katy Peters tells you everything you need to know. 

Have you received all of your viral travel vaccines? Contact us today.