Prevent Mosquito Bites
Preventing mosquito bites mostly relies on using proper repellent correctly, covering up, and reducing viable mosquito habitat around your home (removing standing water and using environemental controls). A lot of these habits will also help reduce the risk of bites when travelling!
The simplest approaches are often the most effective: protect exposed skin, do your best to keep mosquitoes out of the house, and remove standing water near the home.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Us?
Female mosquitoes need blood to develop eggs, which is why they bite people and animals (what we call taking a blood-meal). Most UK mosquito species are often most active around dusk and dawn, though some will bite in daylight too, especially in shady high humidity areas.
Quick Steps
- Use a proven repellent on exposed skin when needed, and reapply it as directed.
- Wear loose-fitting and/or thick long sleeves and trousers, especially when travelling or spending time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
- Use mosquito nets or screened rooms where mosquitoes are common. Consider installing window screens in your home.
- Empty, scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out water-holding items in your garden.
At Home
- Install or repair window and door screens, and keep doors closed when possible.
- Empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water such as tyres, buckets, plant saucers, toys, birdbaths, and bins around your garden and outside spaces.
- Keep water butts, drains, gutters, and outdoor containers covered so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs in them.
When To Be Extra Cautious
Warm, humid evenings and sheltered gardens can increase mosquito activity. If you are travelling, follow destination-specific advice as well, especially where dengue, malaria, or West Nile virus risk is higher.
UK guidance says travellers should cover up, use repellents, and use nets. If you are visiting a higher-risk destination, book travel health advice before you go and follow vaccine and prophlaxis schedules.
Myths and Facts
Not every product that claims to repel mosquitoes is effective! the U.S. CDC and TravelHealthPro recommend using well-supported repellents such as DEET or icaridin, and they do not recommend relying on unproven options like electronic buzzers or most natural repellents.
If you use sunscreen as well, apply sunscreen first and repellent second.
If You Think You Found an Unusual Mosquito
Some new mosquito species are sneaking their way into the U.K. If you find something you think might be out of the ordinary, take a clear photo and use the reporting guidance on the Citizen Science page. If you can collect the mosquito, a UKHSA recording scheme can also accept specimens.