B: Bite prevention

Illustration of a human hand with a mosquito biting on the hand, against a red radial background.

Don’t let mosquitoes
bite you

It is important to prevent mosquito bites because this will reduce the chances of getting infections like malaria and other mosquito-borne disease, plus mosquito bites are unpleasant and cause discomfort and irritation.

Malaria mosquitoes mainly bite from dusk to dawn.

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Insect Repellents

50% DEET-based insect repellent is recommended, DEET is the most effective and widely used insect repellent.

DEET is suitable for anyone older than 2 months, unless you’re allergic.
Don’t use DEET on babies younger than 2 months old.
DEET and pregnancy : Because malaria is serious during pregnancy, it is okay to use up to 50% DEET if you’re pregnant, even in the first trimester.
You can use up to 50% DEET when breastfeeding
DEET might mess up plastic watch straps, covers, and some jewellery, so keep it away from those.
Try not to breathe in or swallow DEET, and don’t get it in your eyes or mouth.
Put repellent only on bare skin (unless the label says you can spray it on clothes).
If you don’t want to use DEET or it is not available, you can use the highest strength available of these other repellents

Icaridin
Eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclized form
3-ethlyaminopropionate-containing repellent (IR3535)

Tropical beach with white sand, palm trees, turquoise water, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Get Repellent That Is Suitable For Tropical Destinations

Some oils from plants like citronella do have mosquito repellent properties but they don't last long, so you can't really count on them to stop bites.

Put on more repellent if mosquitoes start landing on you so they don't get a chance to bite

Two girls packing clothes into a suitcase on a bed in a bedroom

What Kind of Clothing Should You Wear

Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and socks when you’re outdoors to help keep mosquitoes off your skin.

The colour of your clothes doesn’t matter to mosquitoes.

You can spray or treat your clothes with insecticides like permethrin, or buy pre-treated clothing
Cotton can be sprayed with DEET but it doesn’t last long on clothing because it evaporates fast. There are DEET sprays made just for clothes, but they might wreck synthetics.

Even if your clothes are treated, put repellent on any exposed skin too.

A cozy bedroom with a white bed framed by a canopy of sheer white curtains. The bed is set on a stone platform against a wooden wall. On the bed, there are pillows, a laptop, and some electronics. To the left, there's a small red suitcase, plant, and slippers on a step. Items such as a bag, clothes, and a hat are scattered on the right side.

Sleeping Under A Mosquito Net

If you’re in a malaria zone, sleep under a mosquito net unless you're staying in a room that’s fully screened or has air conditioning and no way for mosquitoes to get in. If you open a door, check the room for mosquitoes after.