Mosquitoes in Thailand - what they carry and how to protect against them

Mosquitoes in Thailand are, this fact should be accepted by all who plan a trip to any Thai resort. Just like the fact that in a tropical country there are cases of malaria or dengue fever, and belonging to the category of tourist areas is no guarantee that you will be spared this plague. Panic is not necessary, but some safety precautions must be observed. By the way, in addition to mosquitoes, in Thailand you can meet a variety of dangers, of which, perhaps, you were not aware of. Some of them were listed in the article “Dangerous Thailand”.

Thai mosquitoes don’t always bother with their squeaks and attack suddenly. Mosquito bites in Thailand occur more often in the evening or at night, as these insects avoid the scorching rays of the Thai sun. But if you are in the shade or at the edge of the pond, you can become an object of desire for winged bloodsuckers. You cannot hide from them in your hotel room either.

The Thais normally wear long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants at dusk. Most sleep with their windows closed or use mosquito repellent canopies over their nighttime resting place. A common misconception is to use large quantities of lemon juice to repel mosquitoes.

What mosquitoes tolerate in Thailand

Not all Thai mosquitoes carry any disease on the tip of their trunk, and in general their genus is extremely diverse. If you have a good ear for music, you can tell them apart by the squeaks they make, and they also react differently to insecticides. So using two or three repellents at the same time – tablet fumigator, spray can, repellents – may not be an unnecessary precaution at all. There’s an interesting fact: above the 10th floor, these insects don’t fly, so that too can be used as a passive protection measure.

There are more harmless mosquitoes, but even one malaria or Dengue vector is enough to ruin more than just a vacation. Malaria kills up to three million people a year. Dengue fever, unless complicated by meningitis, toxic shock or encephalitis, is most dangerous for children under two and people over sixty.

Both of these diseases are classified by the WHO as deadly. So do not consider medical insurance in Thailand as something completely unnecessary. The incubation period for malaria can last a year, and with Dengue fever – up to ten days. So do not sigh in relief if you have been in Thailand for less than a week, and nothing happened to you.

Thai mosquitoes can also carry other diseases – not as common, but dangerous in their own way: Japanese encephalitis, filariasis, leishmaniasis.

Dengue symptoms

Dengue fever in Thailand manifests as a sharp rise in temperature – up to 40 degrees, as well as bleeding gums, joint and muscle pain, rashes, and facial redness. If this happens to you or a loved one, rush to the doctor and notify your insurance company.

Malaria symptoms

The symptoms of the initial stage of malaria in Thailand are similar to Dengue. But in this disease, the temperature normalizes after a day or two, and then rises again after a few days. Tropical malaria has the most malignant course. People with weakened immune system, it can finish up just a day. Therefore, the general rule during your stay in South-East Asia is to immediately consult a doctor in case of a rapid rise in temperature. Do not hope to rest for a day or two, you may not see the next morning. Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations against this plague yet.

How to protect from mosquitoes in Thailand?

Now that you know there are mosquitoes in Thailand and how dangerous they are, you should also learn about protection measures against them.

Mosquito repellents in Thailand are sold in all Thai supermarkets, such as Seven Eleven. The local ones are more effective than the European ones. Read the instructions for use. Some of them cannot be applied to the skin, only on clothing.
Natural essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, lime) are less effective.
The same supermarkets sell mosquito traps. They should be in the room all the time.
If your table on the outdoor veranda at a restaurant does not have a smoke-screen fumigator, ask the waiter to do so.
Buy a mosquito net and take it with you when traveling in Thailand.
In the evening, don’t even consider it unnecessary to wear socks. The less exposed skin, the better.
Smelling perfume attracts mosquitoes. But even more – adrenaline. So be philosophically calm, do not wave your hands at every squeak.
Every puddle is an incubator for mosquitoes. The fish in the pond are not only Asian decorations, but also an urgent necessity. They eat the larvae.
The use of an air conditioner also helps repel mosquitoes because they can’t tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
It is scientifically proven that mosquitoes do not fly into the light, they are attracted to the heat and carbon dioxide emitted by human skin. Therefore, stun lamps are ineffective against them.