Thailand: Mosquito Protection Tips and Tricks
A few practical tips and tricks to fight mosquitoes in Thailand and Southeast Asia. A look at real solutions and common scams to help you travel worry-free.
Why protect yourself from mosquitoes in Asia?
Whether in Europe during summer or in Asia year-round, mosquitoes are a real nuisance. While Europe remains mostly free from mosquito-borne illnesses (for now), Southeast Asia is heavily affected by serious diseases. Here, mosquitoes are more than just an annoying nighttime buzz—they can carry and spread diseases like dengue, malaria, and the Zika virus. These threats are present throughout the year.
Local mosquito species are often resistant to common repellents, requiring region-specific protection methods. Protecting yourself from bites is essential when traveling in Thailand and neighboring countries—especially from dengue and malaria, the region’s most common mosquito-borne illnesses.
Below, we share some useful and not-so-useful tricks to help you avoid, repel, or eliminate mosquitoes. Not all methods work in Asia.
Some species in this part of the world are highly resilient and immune to homemade repellents that turn your skin into an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Before we dive in, a note about mosquito magnetism. In every group, there always seems to be a magnetmosquito (a word we just coined—from Latin magnet = magnet and mosquito = mosquito)!
That one person who gets all the bites. Studies now suggest that it’s not about body odor, perfume, or sugar in the blood. The real culprit? The amount of CO2 your skin emits. As for reducing your own CO2 emissions to shift attention to someone else—we’ll skip that ethical dilemma.
Natural mosquito protection methods
| Tip | Explanation | Effective in |
|---|---|---|
| Mosquito nets | Choose pre-treated nets for tropical areas. | Everywhere |
| Prevention | Turn off lights in the room, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in the evening. Remove standing water, or add small fish to eat larvae. Wash clothes without strongly scented softeners. | Everywhere |
| Lemon eucalyptus | A natural repellent with proven effects. | Europe |
| Essential oil incense | May repel mosquitoes, but limited effectiveness in Asia. | Europe |
| Plastic bags filled with water | Seen in communities around Inle Lake—hang clear water-filled bags from the ceiling. Decorative and reportedly effective. | Possibly everywhere |
| Fans | Mosquitoes dislike wind—great for evening meals or sleeping. | Everywhere |
| Plants | Try lemon thyme, small-leaf basil, citronella. | Europe |
| Homemade traps | Example: mix water + brown sugar + brewer’s yeast in a cut plastic bottle. Funnel design traps mosquitoes. | Europe |
Effective chemical and electric mosquito repellents
| Product | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mosquito coils | Best used outdoors. Buy them locally for stronger formulas. |
| Repellents (sprays, lotions) | Check DEET content—higher is better for the tropics. Ask a local pharmacist. Don’t overuse. |
| Electric swatter | Only for indoor use. Effective and oddly satisfying. |
| Plug-in repellents | Buy locally. European models often fail in Asia. |
| Battery-operated repellents | Look for those with small fans—handy when there’s no electricity. |
| Electric resistance mosquito lamps | Not tested—efficacy uncertain. |
| Mosquito patches | Ideal for children. Stick them on clothing or beds. Some use citronella, others use chemicals. |
Mosquito repellents that do not work
| Useless Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic apps | Do not buy them. They don’t work. |
Three mosquito facts to remember while traveling:
- Alcohol: Ethanol attracts mosquitoes.
- Exercise: Physical activity releases lactic acid—another mosquito magnet like CO2.
- Pregnancy: Increases CO2 emissions and body temperature—making bites more likely.
Quick refresher on dengue, malaria, and Zika:
Anopheles mosquitoes (malaria) bite at night. Dengue-transmitting mosquitoes bite during the day. Perfect tag team. Be careful—day and night.
FAQ – Mosquitoes in Thailand
What is the best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes in Thailand?
The best protection combines treated mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothing, and tropical-grade DEET repellents.
Are European repellents effective in Asia?
Most are ineffective. It’s better to buy repellents locally—they’re tailored for the region’s mosquitoes.
Is dengue a year-round risk in Thailand?
Yes. Dengue is present all year, with peaks during the rainy season. Dengue mosquitoes bite mainly during the day.
More travel tips for Thailand
