8 Tips on How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Overview

Mosquito bites have serious consequences, the most serious among them being the transmission of infectious diseases like malaria, dengue virus, chikungunya, etc. These diseases, if not treated on time, lead to potentially fatal effects. In addition, mosquito bites carry viruses and parasites that cause severe illness. 

Hence, one must prevent it using effective repellents and taking preventive measures to avoid mosquito breeding. In this regard, one must know how to prevent mosquito bites. Take a look at the following tips mentioned below.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites can result in the spread of contagious diseases. Hence every individual needs to adhere to the following tips and protect themselves and their family: 

Use Mosquito repellent

Mosquito repellent acts as a saviour when it comes to avoiding mosquito bites. However, the efficacy of the repellents can differ based on the chemical composition. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended using EPA-registered ingredients repellents. For instance, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), etc., do not put one's health at risk and are effective in keeping the insects away. 

Tips for babies and children

It is very important to keep babies and children away from mosquito bites. Make them wear clothes that cover their legs and arms. In addition, one should cover the stroller properly with mosquito netting. However, before using any insect repellent on kids, parents must follow doctors' recommendations.

Moreover, parents should refrain from using products containing OLE (lemon eucalyptus oil) or PMD (para-menthane-diol). Also, never apply repellents on a child's hand or eyes. 

Tips for Adults

Before using any repellent, one must abide by the instructions on the given label. One can also re-apply the repellent. First, however, they must ensure they are not using it underneath their clothing. 

Here’s some tips for adults to protect themselves from mosquito bites: 

1. Use natural insect repellents (repellents not registered with EPA)

Non-EPA-registered natural insect repellents are not effective in protecting one from mosquitoes. The repellents affect the insect's senses and prevent it from finding an animal or human host. One must stick to EPA-registered repellents to get better results.

2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

Individuals must try wearing protected clothes while travelling to mosquito-infested areas. In addition, individuals can use permethrin-treated clothes to get rid of mosquitoes.

3. Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

To avoid mosquito bites, the most effective step is to control mosquitoes from breeding indoors and outdoors. One must get rid of standing rainwater in gutters, buckets, etc. It is also essential for one to empty the water in bird baths, wading pools, potted plant trays etc., as these places act like the breeding ground for the insect. Finally, one can opt for air conditioning and screen and mosquito nets on windows. 

4. Prevent mosquito bites while travelling overseas

There is a risk for travellers to contract vector-borne diseases while travelling to foreign countries. Hence, overseas travellers must exercise caution while travelling overseas as they can get down with an infection. Hence, before visiting a place, individuals must know the current scenario of that place. 

5. Remember to pack the following items / Keep air circulated

Travellers must carry along some of the things while travelling to any place to shield themselves from the bite of a mosquito. 

• EPA-registered repellents

• Long-sleeved clothing treated with permethrin.

• Carry mosquito nets if one is sleeping outside or is going camping.

Moreover, keeping the air circulated keeps insects away and protects one from infectious diseases.

6. Keep mosquitoes out of your hotel room or lodging.

Individuals must opt for hotel rooms that are well-ventilated or have air conditioning. Consider using mosquito repellents and mosquito nets if the hotel room is not air-conditioned and without windows.

7. Sleep under a mosquito net

Hang mosquito net while sleeping. It prevents mosquitoes from coming near the human host. A mosquito net is a necessity for places that are not screened well. Choose a net that is compact and light in colour. Furthermore, one can buy a permethrin-treated net, providing extra protection against mosquito bites than regular nets. 

8. Use mosquito nets correctly.

Individuals should tuck the mosquito net properly to prevent the entry of mosquitoes inside it. Hanging it loosely will be of no help. Instead, individuals should pull the mosquito net tightly to avoid any danger that might cause to children. In addition, one must also check whether the net has holes or tears. Also, avoid sleeping directly with the net as mosquitoes can still bite from the pores.

Conclusion

To sum up, mosquito bites inflict not only itches but also spread several contagious diseases, affecting health in several ways. Therefore, one must abide by the aforementioned tips to protect oneself from such consequences. One such infectious disease is dengue. Dengue can have fatal effects on health if not treated on time. However, financial constraints hold one back from getting timely treatment. Hence, opting for a Dengue Insurance cover can prove effective. For getting comprehensive coverage at a nominal premium, one can opt for the plan on Bajaj Markets. Therefore, besides knowing how to prevent mosquito bites, one must also stay secure under an effective insurance plan.