clothing for protection against mosquito bites
Last edited 12/2019
Clothing for protection against mosquito bites
- within the limits of practicality, cover up with loose-fitting clothing,
long sleeves, long trousers and socks if out of doors after sunset, to minimise
accessibility to skin for biting mosquitoes. There is no evidence that the
colour of clothing is relevant to mosquitoes
- clothing may be sprayed or impregnated with an insecticide, for example
permethrin or purchased pre-treated to reduce biting through the clothing
- as an alternative, cotton clothing (for example socks) can be sprayed with
DEET
- DEET is useful as a clothing repellent but its duration on clothing is
shortened due to its volatility
- DEET preparations for use only on clothing are commercially available
Reference:
- Public Health England. Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK 2019