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 

 Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors. 

 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! 

 Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. 

 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 Natural insect repellents not

insect repellent registered with EPA 

 Consider bringing insect repellent with you.  In the United States, the EPA has not evaluated for 

effectiveness most of the commonly known natural  Always follow the product label instructions. 

insect repellents.  Reapply insect repellent every few hours. 

» Examples of ingredients used in unregistered » Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing. insect repellents include: citronella oil, cedar oil, 

» If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first geranium oil, peppermint and peppermint oil, 

and insect repellent second. pure oil of lemon eucalyptus, soybean oil. 

 For more information: www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents » CDC recommends that you use an insect 

repellent containing an active ingredient 

shown to be both safe and effective. 

CS259867 October 29, 2015 
Use an insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: 


Active ingredient Some brand name examples* 

Higher percentages of active (Insect repellents may be sold under different 

ingredient provide longer protection brand names overseas.) 

DEET Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon 

Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, Autan (outside the 

Bayrepel, and icaridin United States) 

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) 

or para-menthane-diol (PMD) Repel 

IR3535 Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition, Skin Smart 

If you are travelling with a baby or child: 

 Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children. 

 Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age. 

 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. 

Treat clothing and gear 

 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. 

 If treating items yourself, always follow the product instructions. 

 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