Mosquito Bite Prevention for Travelers

Mosquito Bite Prevention
for Travelers
Mosquitoes spread many types of viruses and parasites that can cause diseases like
chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and malaria. If you are traveling to an area where malaria is found,
talk to your healthcare provider about malaria prevention medication that may be available.

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Here’s how:
Keep mosquitoes out of your hotel room or lodging
Š Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors.
Š Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are outside or in a room that is not well screened. Mosquitoes
can live indoors and will bite at any time, day or night.
» Buy a bed net at your local outdoor store or online before traveling overseas.
» Choose a WHOPES-approved bed net (like Pramax*): compact, white, rectangular,
with 156 holes per square inch, and long enough to tuck under the mattress.
» Permethrin-treated bed nets provide more protection than untreated nets.
- Permethrin is an insecticide that kills mosquitoes and other insects.
- Do not wash bed nets or expose them to sunlight. This will break down the
insecticide more quickly.
» For more information on bed nets: www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/reduction/itn.html

Cover up!
Š Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Š Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Treat clothes with permethrin or
another Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insecticide for extra protection.

Use only an EPA-registered insect repellent
Š When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents
are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and
breastfeeding women.
Š Consider bringing insect repellent with you.
Š Always follow the product label instructions.
Š Reapply insect repellent as directed.
» Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
» If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first
and insect repellent second.

Š The effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents,
including some natural repellents, is not known.
Š To protect yourself against diseases like chikungunya,
dengue, and Zika, CDC and EPA recommend using an
EPA-registered insect repellent.
Š For more information: www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents

CS259867

February 18, 2016

Use an insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
Active ingredient

Some brand name examples*

Higher percentages of active
ingredient provide longer protection

(Insect repellents may be sold under different
brand names overseas.)

DEET

Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon

Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023,
Bayrepel, and icaridin

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, Autan (outside the
United States)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
or para-menthane-diol (PMD)

Repel

IR3535

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition, SkinSmart

If you are travelling with a baby or child:
Š Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children.
Š Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
Š Instead, dress infants or small children in clothing that covers arms and legs,
or cover the crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
» Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s
face. Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, mouth, cut or
irritated skin.
Š Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or
para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years of age.

Treat clothing and gear
Š Use permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, tents)|
or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Read product information
to find out how long the protection will last.
Š If treating items yourself, always follow the product instructions.
Š Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent
an endorsement of these products by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes