Unfortunately, summer marks the harsh arrival of many different biting insects that can put a real damper on outdoor activities like camping and walking, and even holidays abroad. Insect bites are both itchy and irritating, and some insects can even spread diseases which creates cause for bigger concern. 

To combat this, keeping protected from bites is essential, and whether you’re at home or abroad, it’s vital to follow precautions in order to eliminate this concern and prevent any pain and irritation.

Common bugs and how to protect against them:

Mosquitoes

Here in the UK, Mosquitoes are less prevalent in everyday life, however, they’re a much more common problem when travelling abroad. 

Mosquitoes are well-known for spreading potentially deadly diseases like Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue, Zika and Yellow Fever.

To protect yourself:

  • Get the right vaccinations. Ensure you have the appropriate vaccinations before travelling to areas where these diseases are common.
  • Use insect repellents containing DEET.
  • Wear protective clothing. Wear long sleeves and trousers that fully cover legs and arms. This is especially important at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are the most active.

Midges

In the UK, Midge season runs from mid-May to September. While their bites are generally not dangerous, they are incredibly irritating. Midges release pheromones to attract others, so one bite often leads to many more.

These bites can cause skin irritation and result in itchy red lumps for humans, but animals can catch diseases such as Blue Tongue which is spread by Midge bites.

To protect yourself:

  • Ensure your arms and legs are covered. Midges will not bite through clothing, so long sleeved shirts and trousers should stop them.
  • Protect your face. Midge nets can cover your head to stop them from coming near your face.
  • Use repellent. If long clothing and a Midge net is not enough, you may need to use an insect repellent in combination with those.

House flies

House flies are often a nuisance in warmer weather, as they gather around food sources and bins even inside the home. They’re also a health hazard, due to the diseases and parasites that they can spread which include Typhoid, Dysentery and Gastroenteritis, as well as skin and eye infections. 

To prevent a pest infestation:

  • Clean up rubbish. You can make your home less attractive to house flies by cleaning up all food waste and crumbs.
  • Empty bins frequently. Ensure you are using bin liners and that all bins have lids. These along with recycling bins should be emptied as often as possible.
  • Limit outside lights. Lights can attract flies, so turn off any unnecessary lights inside and outside at night, and close the windows in rooms where the lights are on.
  • Avoid leaving dirty dishes around. Flies are attracted to the smell of food, so you should wash dishes straight after use or put them in the dishwasher.

Ticks

Ticks found in both the UK and abroad can carry infections like Lyme Disease, and the much rarer tick-borne Encephalitis. Even though they can be active year round, ticks are usually a cause for concern between April and July.

To protect yourself:

  • Stick to footpaths when walking outdoors. You should also avoid walking through areas with long grass.
  • Wear long sleeved t-shirts and tuck your trousers into your socks. Wearing light coloured clothing may help you to spot ticks easier.
  • Use insect repellent.

Effective Insect Repellents 

DEET

DEET is a common ingredient in many insect repellent products, and is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. 

It’s one of the most effective types of insect repellent, and it doesn’t have any health risks provided that it is used safely:

  • Never apply a repellent with 50%+ concentration directly to your skin. This can be applied to clothing instead.
  • If a repellent strength is less than 30%, apply more frequently.
  • Repellent should be applied in the same way as sunscreen, which means reapplying every few hours and after swimming
  • Aim to use the lowest percentage concentration necessary.
  • Use a higher SPF sunscreen while using repellent. DEET can make sunscreen less effective.
  • In locations where Mosquitoes are prevalent and more dangerous, use repellent day and night, indoors and outdoors to be certain that you are protected.
  • In the UK, apply insect repellent when necessary.

Nets

Insect nets are an extremely effective insect repellent. In order for them to offer the best protection, you need to ensure that the mesh is fine enough to stop insects from coming through, without also impacting visibility or ventilation. 

Check that you have sealed the net properly to keep insects out, and do not let it touch your skin directly as insects will still be able to bite through it. 

You can increase the effectiveness of an insect net by treating it with insecticide, but they still offer good protection if used without.

Coils

Coils will either contain insecticides to combat insects, or aromatics that insects don’t like smell of, such as Citronella, in order to repel insects or reduce the chance of bites. 

Burn them outdoors to repel insects, but avoid inhaling the smoke directly. 

They can work well if used alongside other repellents, and might not be as effective if used on their own.

Natural repellents

There are several natural ways that you can repel insects, but it’s important to note that these may not always be as effective as other methods such as DEET or nets.

  • Citronella, Lavender & Eucalyptus: Burning candles or using essential oils with these scents has been found to deter bugs as they don’t like the smell.
  • Avoid standing or stagnant water: Insects like mosquitoes will often breed in these places.

Debunking repellent myths

There are some myths in terms of repelling insects, and not everything you read online has the power to repel and protect you from bites.

They include:

  • Some homoeopathic remedies. Many of these remedies are found to be ineffective placebos that do not actually repel insects.
  • Vitamin B1 and B2 supplements. Vitamin B does not have any effect on mosquitoes, and the body does not store it for long, even in large doses.
  • Eating or applying garlic or yeast extract to skin. Studies have found that garlic does not do anything to reduce a person’s attractiveness to biting insects. Yeast extract is often rich in B vitamins, which do not affect your appeal to mosquitoes.
  • Skin softeners. Cosmetics companies don’t claim their products will repel bugs.
  • Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol makes you more appealing to mosquitoes.
  • Electronic devices that emit high frequency sound waves. Studies have found that these are ineffective at repelling insects and will not prevent bites. Source.
  • Tight fitting clothes. Mosquitoes and some other insects will bite through tight fitting clothes, so it is better to wear loose fitting or thick clothes instead.

What to do if you’ve been bitten

If you do get bitten:

  • Remove Residue. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to remove any insect parts left in the skin.
  • Clean the Area. Wash with soap and water to reduce risk of infection.
  • Apply ice. This will reduce swelling.
  • Take antihistamines. This will alleviate itchiness.

Overall, to stay protected from insects this summer, it’s best to use a combination of methods such as repellents, protective clothing, and insect nets. 

Reapply repellents regularly and take preventive measures seriously. If bitten, always treat the area promptly to minimise discomfort.

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