You have heard many horror stories related to tropical diseases, right?
Mosquitoes in Thailand are a significant problem.
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Children and pregnant women are at high risk.
Mosquito season isn’t just an annoyance — it’s dangerous! Millions of people are sickened by mosquito-borne diseases each year, and thousands die from them.
The World Health Organization states that mosquito-borne illnesses kill more than 700,000 people yearly, most children under five years old. These preventable diseases are most prevalent in Africa, Asia, and Central America, but they can be found anywhere mosquitos live and breed.
The countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, are significantly affected by mosquito-borne illnesses because of the tropical climate and large populations of mosquitoes.
Overview of Mosquitoes
A mosquito is an insect that uses its mouthparts to bite animals (including humans), drawing blood through its needle-like proboscis. They are a species of Diptera, and the most well-known species is Culex, responsible for the transmission of deadly diseases like dengue hemorrhagic fever or malaria.
Mosquitos belong to a family of flies called Culicidae. Female mosquitos are often larger than males because they need large body parts for egg development. Some mosquitos live as long as two years.
There are over 3500 different species of mosquitoes and many more subspecies. Every year about 250 million people contract diseases transmitted by mosquitoes worldwide. In many countries, mosquito bites cause more deaths than any other animal. In fact, one out of five infectious disease deaths globally is due to a mosquito bite!
This makes infected mosquito one of the deadliest creatures on earth. Malaria: Malaria kills around 600 000 people every year, making it one of the deadliest diseases in history; despite major advancements in medicine and technology.
Types of mosquitoes
There are many different types of mosquitoes, but only a few are responsible for transmitting deadly diseases. The four most dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses are malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile Virus.
All of these diseases are spread by specific species of mosquito that can be found throughout all tropical areas.
One such area is Thailand, where people often travel or move to escape one illness only to find themselves exposed to another. In fact, there are over 3 million cases of malaria reported every year in Southeastern Asia, with over 200 million people infected each year worldwide.
While it may seem impossible to avoid being bitten by an anopheles mosquito, it is possible when you know what kind you’re dealing with and how they behave. It’s also important to note that while some species can transmit more than one disease, others may be carriers for multiple viruses or bacteria, making them even more deadly than others.
This information will help you identify which ones pose a greater risk to your health so you can take proper precautions and have tiger balm.
Where to find mosquitoes in Thailand
If you’re visiting Thailand for business or pleasure, there is a good chance that you will be spending some time outside, whether at your home base or exploring new areas. This means that mosquitos in Thailand will probably be a factor in your trip.
Knowing where mosquitoes live in Thailand can help you avoid them and keep from getting bitten. To have peace of mind while traveling to Thailand, stay aware of these areas where mosquitos thrive and learn what time of year they are more active.
A few areas include forested regions, rural villages, rivers and rice paddies, cities near rivers and lakes (as well as urban parks), waterfalls, beaches with little vegetation, and marshy land around lakes or rivers. No matter where you travel in Thailand, take necessary precautions to avoid bites from mosquitos in Thailand.
Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away in Thailand
Mosquitoes tend to bane many people’s existence, especially during the summer when you’re out in your yard and at the lake.
These blood-sucking insects can ruin an otherwise enjoyable day in Thailand, which makes them one of the most loathed creatures on Earth.
Don’t let those little buggers ruin your time outdoors! Learn how to keep mosquitoes in Thailand away from you with these tips.
Use Reliable Repellent
To avoid mosquitos in Thailand, you can find a list of registered repellents on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website. Don’t put off using a repellent if you’re planning on spending time outside; it takes 30 minutes or longer for insect repellent to take effect, so be sure to apply it well before heading out. And when you return home, make sure you wash your clothes in hot water with detergent and dry them inside, so mosquitoes don’t get a chance to breed in your laundry basket.
Use a mosquito-repellent bracelet.
Mosquitos in Thailand are dangerous. Scientists have invented a bracelet that gives off botanical products. The idea is that mosquitoes are attracted to humans because they’re warm-blooded and give off carbon dioxide, which they can smell. So if you wear these mosquito repellent bracelets out at night, they release vapor to keep mosquitos in Thailand away.
Keep mosquitoes outside
While many people think of mosquitoes as a nuisance, they can carry serious diseases like malaria and West Nile virus. Try having plants and flowers around your house to keep them away — they act as a mosquito repellent! You should also ensure there aren’t any standing pools of water on your property (mosquitoes need water to breed). Finally, close all doors and openings to the house.
Install screens on windows and doors, and don’t leave any cracks where bugs can sneak into your home; spray sprays can help prevent mosquitoes from entering.
Stay indoors
No matter where you live, there’s likely a mosquito on your property at all times of the year. To reduce your chances of being bitten, keep your house sealed up as much as possible. The more airtight it is, the fewer mosquitoes can fly in from outside.
Use Mosquito Netting
Cover yourself with treated mosquito netting when you sleep in a mosquito-infested area. You can even purchase bedding specifically made of mosquito netting to prevent mosquitos in Thailand from attacking you.
Mosquito nets will help protect you from being bitten while sleeping at night; mosquitoes typically feed in the evenings and early mornings. As a bonus, it also keeps out other insect bites.
Use natural repellents like lemon eucalyptus oil
Although DEET is a very effective chemical, it’s also extremely toxic and can cause rashes or other skin irritation. If you don’t want to use chemicals on your skin to repel mosquitoes, it’s important to find alternative ways of protecting yourself from mosquitoes.
One great solution is lemon eucalyptus oil because it provides protection from mosquitoes and its powerful scent also keeps away ticks and biting flies. For example, if you plan a camping trip in Thailand during mosquito season (rainy season), rub your clothes with lemon eucalyptus oil before going out in nature.
Rest easy knowing that you won’t be bothered by these pesky insects.
Prevalent Mosquito Diseases in Thailand
There are a variety of mosquito-borne illnesses that infect humans. In Thailand, you have to be especially aware of these diseases because they are the reason you can get a mosquito-borne disease.
If you are traveling to Thailand, you need to avoid mosquitos in Thailand to help prevent contracting these transmissible diseases.
Dengue fever
The most widely spread mosquito-borne disease in tropical and subtropical climates is dengue. The illness comes with a fever (hence its name), extreme muscle aches, nausea, rashes on parts of your body exposed to sunlight, and pain behind your eyes.
It’s passed on by mosquitoes and is most prevalent during rainy seasons when they can breed at an alarming rate. If you live or plan to visit where dengue is known to be present, it’s important to protect yourself against mosquito bites if you want to avoid getting sick.
The disease exists in Thailand, mostly in urban and northeastern parts of the country.
Unfortunately, there is no available vaccination for dengue fever. A reason to avoid mosquitos in Thailand from biting you. Again, there is no cure for this disease.
Once you are affected, use ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) for hydration and paracetamol for pain. Avoid Ibrufen, Aspirin, and Naproxen to reduce the chances of experiencing internal bleeding.
Japanese encephalitis
JE is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. JE is common in rural parts of Japan, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. However, mosquitos in Thailand could help transmit this viral disease. It causes brain inflammation.
Infection is rare among travelers, but precautions are required where JE is common. Prevention depends on avoiding mosquito bites and taking precautions against mosquito bites.
Travelers who may have been exposed to infected mosquitoes while traveling should seek medical advice even if they do not feel unwell. Vaccination can also prevent Japanese encephalitis (JE).
The symptoms are flu-like, such as headache, muscle pains, and fever. However, the vaccine will not protect you against other infections like malaria.
If you are planning a trip to Thailand, the disease is prevalent in Sukhothai, Bangkok, Phitsanulok, and Chiang Mai Valley — northern Thailand. Avoid mosquitos in Thailand since they breed in rice fields, particularly in rural areas.
Malaria
The most deadly mosquito-borne disease of them all is malaria, transmitted by female mosquitoes in Thailand.
It’s prevalent in parts of Thailand (and throughout Asia), so you should get tested before traveling if you are going to stay long-term (more than a few months). Or if you have plans to visit rural areas where malaria transmission is more likely.
If you don’t want to get malaria, preventing mosquito bites using protective clothing and insect repellent at night is the right decision —that’s when mosquitos tend to bite most frequently.
You can also reduce your risk by staying in air-conditioned rooms with screens on windows and doors. Avoid sleeping under worn-out mosquito nets as they may not provide adequate protection against malaria-carrying mosquitos due to holes or tears in the netting.
When infected with malaria, some of the symptoms include chills, fever, and flu-like symptoms. You will need treatment because, in some cases, the disease leads to death. The best way is to stay safe from mosquitos in Thailand.
Zika
Thai mosquitoes that carry Zika – which can cause birth defects when contracted by pregnant women – have only been recorded for a short less than a decade. These mosquitoes like to inhabit urban environments near humans.
While there is no vaccine for Zika, there are ways to minimize your chances of contracting them. One option is to use bed nets treated with insecticide. Another alternative is using mosquito repellents on exposed skin, both indoors and outdoors.
It’s also important to drain or cover any standing water around your home or work environment; mosquitos need water to reproduce, so if you eliminate their habitat, you reduce their population.
After visiting infested area, avoid getting pregnant for about six months. You can control birth with condoms to prevent exposure of the virus to the unborn child.
Yellow fever
You don’t have to be planning a trip to Thailand to worry about yellow fever. This mosquito-borne virus is endemic in Southeast Asia, including most areas of Thailand. While there is no cure for yellow fever (only treatment), it’s also one of the most preventable mosquito-borne diseases, thanks to immunization.
The vaccine is recommended for people visiting countries with a risk of exposure to mosquitoes carrying YFV, but some countries — Thailand included — require proof that you’ve been vaccinated before entry.
And if an infected mosquito bites you? You could start showing symptoms within a week or so. In addition to fever, these include headache, muscle pain, backache, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
If you suspect yellow fever, seek medical care immediately. There is no anti-viral medication available to treat infection; only supportive care can help manage your symptoms until they subside.
FAQ: Mosquitoes in Thailand
If you’re planning to visit Thailand and want to avoid the many diseases spread by mosquitoes, you’ll want to know about mosquitos in Thailand. Don’t let disease ruin your trip – be informed with these frequently asked questions about mosquitos in Thailand.
Do I need to carry mosquito repellent in Thailand?
The answer is simple: It’s hot and humid. A hot, humid climate is perfect for mosquitoes in Thailand. (They love it!)
So it makes sense that places with these two weather patterns would have more mosquito problems than other places with different weather patterns. But there are other factors to consider as well.
For example, certain times of year — such as the rainy season — are worse than others when it comes to mosquitos.
Some areas of Thailand also have a higher population of mosquitos because they’re near bodies of water or marshy areas where mosquitos thrive in rice fields.
And some regions are particularly affected by dengue fever or malaria — two diseases spread by mosquitos.
Then, yes, you should bring some form of mosquito repellent when traveling to Thailand!
Are mosquitoes a problem in Thailand?
Yes, unfortunately. The mosquito-borne diseases — which affect nearly 200 million people worldwide every year, according to World Health Organization estimates — are present in more than 100 countries. Some diseases, such as Dengue, are highly infectious and cause flu-like symptoms that can lead to life-threatening hemorrhagic fever if left untreated.
Why does Thailand have many mosquitoes?
It’s a tropical country. The rest of Southeast Asia has even more mosquitoes, as does India. It’s not unusual for a tropical country to have many mosquitoes. However, some countries take precautions like draining standing water or avoiding being outside when mosquitos are most active at dusk.
In general, it’s difficult to avoid being bitten by mosquitos in Thailand if you live where they’re found.
Moving to an uninhabited area is an option (and one people have chosen throughout human history), but it only works if you’re willing to give up everything and move there permanently. Your best bet is a frequent bug-repellent application if you can’t do that.
Do I need DEET in Thailand?
DEET, or N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, is a chemical substance derived from chrysanthemums that can be used to ward off mosquitoes. It was first developed as an insecticide and came into use for mosquito repellents.
Since then, DEET has become one of many accepted methods for keeping mosquitoes at bay; others include scented candles and citronella oil. In Thailand, DEET is not required except in certain places, such as national parks where malaria is prevalent.
If you’re traveling to rural areas with more mosquitos than usual — such as during monsoon season — it’s a good idea to bring some with you just in case.
As always, take precautions: don’t spray directly on your skin (use a spray bottle), don’t apply if you have cuts or open sores, and wash it off after returning indoors.
So, do I need DEET?: If you’re traveling outside major cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai and plan on spending time outside during monsoon season, you probably need DEET. Otherwise, no — you probably don’t need any repellent at all!
Should I use malaria pills in Thailand?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make when traveling to tropical regions is whether or not you should get a malaria pill before you go. These pills are generally recommended for trips that will last over a month, as well as those that include heavy exposure to rural areas and jungles.
However, many travelers choose not to take them due to possible side effects, which include nausea, vomiting, and muscle pains. If you’re heading to areas with known malaria cases, these side effects might be worth enduring.
It’s also worth noting that if you do end up taking malaria pills while abroad, contact your doctor right away if you have any issues — they might be able to help reverse some of their negative effects.
What scent do mosquitos hate?
It’s an age-old question, really: what smells do mosquitos hate? The answer may surprise you. If mosquitoes don’t like to be around you, they probably won’t like to be around your friends, either. Studies have shown that mosquitos are only repelled by catnip, lavender, patchouli, lemongrass, citronella, cedar, peppermint, cinnamon., and more
Conclusion
While Thailand might seem an unlikely destination for mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis, mosquitos in Thailand are present all over Thailand. Use a strong insect repellant. Make sure to reapply it frequently. Wear light-colored long sleeves whenever possible to keep mosquitos from biting through your clothes. Wear pants if you go to rural areas where mosquitos breed. Spend time outside during daylight hours when mosquitos are less active (Mosquitos in Thailand tend to be most active around dawn or dusk). If you need to go out at night (for instance, to catch a bus or taxi), wear long sleeves and pants if possible — even gloves can help prevent mosquito bites.