Mosi-guard is effective against.....
Mosquitoes:
Mosquitoes are found almost everywhere and almost everyone has experienced the irritation of a mosquito bite.
Nuisance bites are bad enough but these insects also transmit a whole range of serious diseases
Ross River, Barmah Forest, Murray Valley Encephalitis, Kunjin, Yellow fever, Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitis virus infection, Malaria and Filariasis (Elephantiasis) (to name a few!!) are all transmitted by mosquitoes are all best avoided. Mosquitoes tend to bite between dusk and dawn but some, like the Aedes mosquito which can spread Ross River and Barmah Forest virus and Dengue Fever do bite during the day.
Sandflies
In Australia, we often refer to “sandflies” but such “sandflies” are really midges (see below).
Sandflies are tiny insects sometimes called "no see ums"
They tend to bite at night and the bite is intensely itchy and irritating. These tiny beasts spread sand fly fevers and a serious disease called leishmaniasis.
They are small enough to fit through a mosquito net so make sure your net is impregnated with an insecticide like permethrin.
Ticks
Ticks inhabit grass or scrub land vegetation, often in wooded or forested areas.
When they are hungry for blood they crawl up the leaves of plants and attach to passing people or animals.
When biting they stay strongly attached to the skin for many hours and are difficult to detach.
They can transmit a number of diseases including Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Spotted Fevers and Lyme Disease.
Midges
Midges are often referred to in Australia as “sandflies” but really they are “midges”. Midges are swarming insects that will be familiar to anyone who has visited the coastal areas during the summer months.
Bites from these swarming clouds of midges can make life almost unbearable. Midge bites commonly get infected especially in children who scratch them because they are so itchy.
Leeches
Leeches are not usually thought of in the same category as biting insects, but leeches have a real “yuk” factor. Scientific tests in leech-infested areas prove that Mosi-guard is also a very effective leech repellent!
Mosiguard Guide to Biting Insects & "Bugs" & Why You Should Avoid Them
Insect or Bug |
Description |
Diseases |
When Bite Most Likely |
Comments |
MOSQUITOES |
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Anopheles |
Head & Body in straight line & at angle to wall. Often have spotted wings |
Malaria, Filariasis |
Night
Indoors & out
Mainly rural |
Bite not usually painful, but normally causes local reaction lasting hours to days. Malaria does not occur in Australia but it is the leading cause of death worldwide |
Aedes |
Body parallel to wall with head bent down.
Black & white |
Viruses like Ross River , Barmah Forest , Dengue, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya, Viral encephalitis
Filariasis |
Day
Indoors & out
Urban & rural |
Bite not usually painful, but normally causes local reaction lasting hours to days. Dengue occurs in Far North Queensland and may be fatal. Ross River Virus occurs throughout Australia and causes an acute illness with rash & arthritis. Fatigue and other symptoms can last months or years. |
Culex |
Body parallel to wall with head bent down.
Brown |
Viruses like Ross River , Barmah Forest , Filariasis |
Evening,/ night
Indoors & out
Urban & rural |
Bite not usually painful, but normally causes local reaction lasting hours to days. See above for Ross River Virus. |
BITING FLIES |
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|
|
|
Biting Flies " March Flies" "Stable Flies " |
Large 6-15mm long;
brown/greyish mouthparts stick out in front of head |
Not known to transmit Human Disease except in the tropics |
Day
Rural |
Painful; may cause pricking sensation followed by itching & swelling |
Midge (often called " sandfly ")
(Culicoides) |
Minute 0.2mm
Dark, spotted wings |
Nuisance, often attack in swarms |
Evening
Outdoors rural |
Sharp prick often with irritating lumps which often get infected, especially in children |
TICKS |
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|
|
|
Ixodes, Argasid
"Paralysis Ticks" "Shellbacks", "Bush Ticks" |
Large often pea-shaped & bluish when fed; 3-30mm
Many coloured wingless;
8 legs (larvae 6 legs) |
Spotted Fever (tick typhus), Lyme Disease, Tickborne Encephalitis (TBE) |
Day/ night
Rural/ urban |
Range from painless to very painful. Black scab or eschar in typhus; Red reaction in allergy & Lyme Disease. TBE is not in Australia |
| LEECHES |
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|
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| Various species. Leeches are segmented & related to earthworms |
Varying sizes and shapes. Larger when engorged with blood. |
None known apart from allergic and local reactions at attachment site. Increased bleeding at attachment site when removed. |
Attachment most likely in wet, bush & jungle environments |
Secondary skin infection (cellulitis) can occur if care not taken with removal of leech |
Reference: "Taking the Mystery out of Malaria" Dr BJ Hudson, Dr K Donovan. Available from MASTA.
MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) recommends Mosiguard |
