Mosquito Season: Repellent Strength, Coils and Netting (Video)

Transcript

Mosquito Season Overview

When the evening smoke curls from a coil, many wonder if it really keeps the bugs away.

At a glance

Adults usually need a 20 to 30 percent DEET spray for a few hours. For toddlers over two months, a low-strength formula applied by an adult is safer. Coils can help, but only in a well-ventilated room, not a sealed bedroom overnight.

Repellent concentration actually matters

Not every spray offers the same protection. Higher DEET or Picaridin percentages last several hours, while plant-based oils like citronella fade in under an hour and need frequent reapplication. Think of them as a top-up rather than the main shield on a humid evening.

Applying repellent correctly

When you put on repellent, aim it at exposed skin and wait until sunscreen has dried. A quick two-to-three second spray per arm or leg, rubbed in evenly, is enough, no need to soak the skin. Stay clear of eyes, mouth, any cuts or irritated patches, and remember to reapply after four to six hours, or sooner if you’ve been swimming or sweating heavily.

Babies and young children need a different approach

For infants under two months, skip chemical sprays altogether, use a well-fitted mosquito net and long cotton sleeves instead. Between two and twenty-four months, only a low-strength repellent, applied by an adult’s hand and never on the child’s own hands, is recommended. Keep the product away from clothing and avoid any skin irritations.

Coil smoke indoors: the trade-off nobody mentions

A burning coil gives off a gentle insecticide smoke that does cut down bites, but the smoke itself can be a mild respiratory irritant. Burning it for hours in a sealed bedroom is far worse than a short session in a ventilated room before bedtime, followed by airing the space out. If anyone in the house has asthma, young children, or breathing sensitivities, a plug-in vaporiser is a safer alternative.

Netting the cot properly

A net only works when it’s truly sealed. Tuck every edge under the mattress or crib base so no mosquito can slip through. Inspect the fabric each month for tiny holes, and consider a permethrin treatment, or a pre-treated net, if dengue or malaria is a risk in your area, following the product instructions exactly.

Clothing and timing as a first line of defence

Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue are most active at sunrise and late afternoon, not just at night. Wearing light-coloured, long-sleeve shirts and full-length trousers during those windows cuts exposed skin without any spray. Pairing that simple barrier with a modest repellent gives an extra layer of protection, rather than choosing one or the other.

Standing water around the house matters as much as skin protection

No amount of skin spray can fully offset a breeding site just metres from your door. Aedes lay eggs in tiny pools, flower-pot saucers, old tyres, blocked drains, even a bottle cap left outside. A quick weekly walk around balconies, terraces and gardens to empty or cover these spots dramatically cuts the local mosquito population at its source.

Old wisdom

Burning neem leaves or twigs in the evening is a long-standing tradition across South Asia. The smoke has a mild deterrent effect, but it’s a complement, not a replacement, for proper netting or an EPA-registered repellent.

Before you try it

Never spray adult-strength DEET on a baby’s skin. Don’t burn coils in a sealed bedroom overnight, especially with an infant present. Those with asthma or chronic lung issues should opt for netting or a vaporiser. If you develop fever, headache behind the eyes, joint pain or rash within two weeks of heavy mosquito exposure, see a doctor promptly.

Takeaway

For more tips on staying bite-free, read the full post on thecareonline.com. Remember, this is general advice, not medical guidance.