Sick of mozzie bites? Here are five products that actually work

An expert reveals how Aussies can reduce their chances of being bitten by mozzies this summer – and the gadgets to avoid.

Mozzie bites in spring and summer are as much a part of Australian life as barbecues and beer, but after all the rain and floods this year, swarms of mosquitoes are on the attack.

Melbourne University research fellow Dr Perran Ross, who has been studying mosquitoes for 10 years, says the recent rains, floods and warm conditions across much of Australia have created a perfect breeding ground for the pesky insects. With more than 300 varieties in Australia, residents are reporting seeing much larger mosquitoes this year and many more of them, particularly in regional NSW.

“It’s been warm and wet and, with the floods, there are a lot of open containers holding water that mosquitoes will be breeding in,” Ross says.

A mosquito feeding on a human host.

“Different species have different sizes. So there’s some that are bigger than others. But it’s also the conditions that make the mosquitoes big. If there’s not as many mosquitoes competing for the same amount of food, then they get bigger.”

Health warnings associated with mosquito bites have been issued and Ross says there is an increased risk of Japanese encephalitis, which can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain, Dengue fever, Barmah Forest virus and Ross River virus.

So how can you protect yourself from being bitten?

Ross says there are some sure-fire winners and some approaches that will most likely still leave you fighting the bites.

WHAT WORKS WELL

● Netting: Mosquito nets around your bed, your outdoor umbrellas or as a freestanding outdoor entertaining tent will protect you. Netting has been used successfully for centuries to guard against mosquitoes in the tropics.

“They can they can be very effective. It’s just a matter of making sure it’s completely secure because if there’s any gaps in it, or if there’s any rips, then the mosquitoes can find a way through,” Ross says.

Umbrella mosquito net.

● Indoor and outdoor fans: Mosquitoes are not strong flyers so creating a decent breeze in the space where you are sitting can discourage them.

Fans can deter mosquitoes as they are not strong flyers.

● Mosquito Dunks: To prevent mosquitoes breeding in still water around your house, place these small discs containing BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis), which has spores producing toxins that specifically target and affect the larvae of the mosquito, into the water source. Ross says bleach in the water can work too, but explains the best way to prevent breeding at all is to empty out any containers, fountains or areas holding excess water.

Mosquito dunks with BTI.

● Aeroguard: Ross says this tried and true Aussie solution is still a winner when sprayed on skin and clothing.

● Fire pits: The smoke from a fire will deter mosquitoes, he says, but you will need to be standing close to the heat and smoke stream.

Mosquitoes do not like the smoke from fire pits.

LESS EFFECTIVE

● Zappers: Ross says don’t bother. “I don’t think they’ll be effective at all. For one, mosquitoes aren’t really attracted to light in that way. You might get moths and other insects being caught, but you probably won’t get that many mosquitoes.”

● Citronella candles, coils and essential oil burners: While these do work to a degree indoors, Ross says, once they are used in the open air of a backyard setting, they dissipate too much and become less effective.

Citronella candles.

● Yellow bug lights: Ross says these will not repel mosquitoes because they are attracted to human bodies to feed on our blood in order to reproduce, rather than a light source.

● Patches and wristbands: “I’ve seen these pop up a lot and they don’t really work at all. They might protect you in a very, very small area around the item, but they’re not going to stop mosquitoes from finding another place to bite you,” Ross says.

HUMAN ATTRACTION

Female mosquitoes are the only biters as they feed on our blood to help them reproduce.

Male mosquitoes don’t bite but they do congregate around humans if the females are on the attack.

Ross says mozzies are attracted to human blood, sweat and the carbon dioxide we breath out. Some folks are more attractive because of their genes and smell of their skin.

“It’s really the sort of chemical compounds that you’re emitting from your skin that mosquitoes prefer. If you have a lot of those, then they’ll find you more attractive.”

He suggests covering up in light, loose-fitting clothing to make it harder for mozzies to reach and bite your skin.