How Bad Are Mosquitoes In Thailand?

Planning to visit Thailand and now you are wondering if you will have to worry about mosquitoes biting you. Then you are right in doing so, there is no way to avoid them. You do have to take precautions to protect yourself from them.

Thailand has a humid climate, as a result, mosquitoes do well in this type of climate. There are more mosquitoes active during the rainy season which is from June through October but they are present all year round. This should not stop you from visiting Thailand. Take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

What you should do instead, is learn how to protect yourself against mosquitoes especially if you’re traveling with children. We all know children are the first victims of every mosquito.

In this post, we will go through how bad are mosquitoes in Thailand. Let’s get started!

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How Bad Are Mosquitoes In Thailand?

Mosquitoes are everywhere in Thailand, particularly during the rainy season from May to October. Some areas of Thailand have a higher incidence of mosquitoes than others, depending on factors such as climate, proximity to water sources, and population density.

Thailand is also home to several mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus, which can be serious or even fatal. It is important to take precautions to protect against mosquito bites and avoid exposure to these diseases.

To prevent mosquito bites, it is recommended to use mosquito repellent containing DEET or other effective ingredients, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and use mosquito nets when sleeping in areas with high mosquito activity. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid stagnant water and areas with high mosquito activity, particularly during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Overall, while mosquitoes can be a nuisance in Thailand, with appropriate precautions, mosquito bites can be minimized.

When Are Mosquitoes Around?

The reality is that mosquitoes are always around in Thailand. Thailand’s tropical climate is hot and humid, in other words, it is a perfect climate for mosquitoes to reproduce.

Because of this, mosquitoes are around and active in Thailand all year long.

There are times in the day when you will be at more risk. Those are in the mornings roughly at sunrise between 5 am to 8 am and in the evenings at sunset between 5 pm to 8 pm.

That doesn’t mean that you should avoid going out between those times but just take reasonable precautions.

In case you are planning to visit places in northern Thailand like Chiang Mai or Pai that have jungles, you will find more mosquitoes there. Whereas in the South, there are more islands and open spaces you will find fewer mosquitoes.

When Is Mosquito Season In Thailand?

Mosquito season in Thailand typically coincides with the rainy season, which generally lasts from May to October. During this time, the humidity and moisture levels are higher, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

However, mosquitoes can be present year-round in Thailand, particularly in areas with standing water or high humidity.

What About Diseases?

You shouldn’t worry too much about tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes in Thailand but visit a doctor if you feel not quite right and just for peace of mind.

The risk of getting a tropical disease is considered low. However, some mosquitoes in Thailand can transmit dengue fever.

If you need more information on diseases from mosquito bites, check with your local doctor.

If you feel that you would rather not risk it please know that mosquitoes are more active during the rainy season which lasts from June to September.

Do You Need A Mosquito Net In Thailand?

The need for a mosquito net in Thailand depends on the specific location and accommodation where you are staying. If you are staying in an air-conditioned hotel room or a building with screened windows and doors, you may not need a mosquito net.

However, if you are staying in a more rustic accommodation such as a bungalow or tent, or if you plan to sleep outdoors, a mosquito net can be a useful precaution against mosquito bites and the diseases they may carry.

Mosquito nets are widely available in Thailand and can be purchased at many local markets, stores, and pharmacies. It is important to make sure that the mosquito net is in good condition and properly treated with insecticide to ensure maximum protection against mosquitoes.

Additionally, even if you do not use a mosquito net, it is still important to take other precautions such as using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity periods (dusk and dawn) to protect against mosquito bites and the diseases they may transmit.

Ways To Prevent Mosquitoes Bites?

Now that you know more about mosquitoes and you are still planning on visiting Thailand what are the best ways to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes?

• Use mosquito repellent. DEET is a mosquito repellent and can be found in any pharmacy or 7/11.
• Try to use light clothing that covers your arms and legs. Because you don’t want to feel too hot, go for pieces of clothing that are loose and airy. This way you won’t be as hot and the mosquitoes will be less attracted to you.
• Try using clothing that is light in color. Other than keeping you cooler than dark clothing they also don’t attract mosquitoes as easily.
• If you go to have dinner outside, for example, remember that the evenings are one of the times when mosquitoes are more active. Or if you go on a hike in the jungle don’t wear short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts because mosquitoes are attracted to wood and low lighting.
• Try to avoid using perfumes or strong-scented lotions and colognes. It’s true that being in a hot country where you will most likely sweat a lot you want to still smell nice but the truth is, mosquitoes can be highly attracted by scents such as the ones from perfume.
• In the room where you will be staying, you shouldn’t worry that much since most rooms are equipped with a fan. Mosquitoes tend to avoid air drafts and are attracted to humid spaces.
• If you don’t like the idea of spraying yourself several times a day with mosquito repellent full of chemicals you can also use repellent bracelets that are made of more natural ingredients and can still protect you against the bites of mosquitoes.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes are known for being very tenacious and even if you take all the precautions, you can still be bitten by one.

What To Do In Case You Are Bitten?

Yes, it happens much less than if you didn’t take any simple precautions at all but it can still happen.

First of all, please don’t panic. Remember that more than likely bitten by a harmless mosquito since the risks of getting a disease are very low. But still, when the itch starts try your best not to scratch it.

Also, remember that you are in the tropics, which is full of microscopic life so try not to open any unnecessary wounds that could cause an infection.

You will need to apply the cream to the area that was bitten to reduce the itchiness as many times as you want but if mosquito bite cream is the only thing that you forgot to pack there is no need to worry.

Tiger balm is probably the most well-known cream that helps against the itchiness of mosquito bites. It is probably the easiest thing to find since it is also sold in supermarkets.

However, if for any particular reason, you won’t be able to go and buy cream immediately you can try applying some toothpaste on the afflicted area or the interior of a banana peel.

You can buy it without a prescription and it’s certain that wherever you go, they have the soothing cream in stock.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Thailand has a humid climate, as a result, mosquitoes do well in this type of climate. There are more mosquitoes active during the rainy season which is from June through October but they are present all year round. This should not stop you from visiting Thailand.

But if you take precautions, you will soon realize that you can easily deal with the presence of mosquitoes while visiting Thailand.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on how bad are mosquitoes in Thailand has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and leave a comment if you have any tips.

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