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Yes, there are mosquitos in hot and tropical parts of Australia. If you are visiting Port Douglas, Cairns, or The Daintree Rainforest you should take precautions. This post covers how to avoid mosquitos and a few other biting insects in Far North Queensland.
Mosquitoes can have very itchy bites but they may also carry diseases that you need to avoid. Diseases such as malaria, Dengue Fever, Japanese encephalitis, Ross River fever, and West Nile Virus may all be transmitted via mosquito bites. Luckily, these are non-existent or rare in Australia.
In years gone by there were Dengue outbreaks in this part of the world. Never the huge outbreaks you may find in other countries, the authorities would have them contained very fast and as far as I know modern techniques have stamped out Dengue. But still, it’s wise to take precautions.
Mosquito bites can also become infected fast, that’s something to take care of in the tropics. We’d recommend you get some sort of antiseptic on any cut as fast as possible.
- Worst Times For Mosquitos
- Anti-Mosquito Products That Work
- Tips For Avoiding Mosquitos
- Sand Flies or “Midgies”
Worst Time of Year For Mosquitos in Port Douglas
Summer, after the rains have started is the worst time for mosquitos in Port Douglas, Cairns, the Daintree and Far North Queensland. Once the dry season gets started the mosquitos shouldn’t be much of a problem. From about June or July through to November you should be pretty safe, but it depends when the wet season starts and ends and that varies each year. See our post on The Best Times To Visit Port Douglas for more info. Try not to be outside around dawn and dusk, these are the worst times for mosquitos. The worst places to be are anywhere shady, with lots of plants, or where moisture lingers. (rainforests and dense vegetation!) Mosquitos need water to breed. Places that are dry, sunny, or windy should be much better.
If you’re using holiday accommodation never leave your doors or windows open around these times. Most buildings will have fly screens on windows, they do a great job of keeping the bugs out. Aircon helps too.
Never leave standing water in any container outside. Don’t give the mozzies a chance to breed.
Around Macrossan Street, in restaurants and hotels, and resorts, mosquitos shouldn’t be too much of a problem at any time of year. The Flagstaff Hill walking track, (Port Douglas walks, are here) the strip of vegetation behind the beach, and anywhere with shade and lush vegetation can be mosquito hotspots.
We also have sand flies (AKA midgies) in and around Port Douglas, particularly around The Inlet. These biting insects are so small that you probably won’t notice them, but if you see flat, round, red areas on your skin, a sand fly has bitten you. These won’t itch at first but they’ll itch for days afterwards.
Anti-Mosquito Products That Work
There are Amazon affiliate links in this section.
Mosquito wipes or towelettes are a great product to have. You can sometimes find these in Coles at Port Village Shopping Centre or in the pharmacies in Port Douglas. Or you can buy them online here.
If you have mosquitos inside your accommodation an electronic mosquito zapper can destroy them without chemicals. If you use these outside you’ll also kill lots of harmless bugs. This method does work, we use one of these in our home in the wet season. Take a look at these here.
If you’re shopping for your Port Douglas trip we also recommend you pack a stainless steel water bottle, like this. We think water tastes better out of steel and you’ll need the insulation to keep your hydration cool.
Tips For Avoiding Mosquitos
1. Types of Mosquito to Avoid
There are almost 3,000 species of mosquito in the world carrying various diseases. They come in different shapes and sizes and have different habitats.
The Dengue fever mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, is active during daylight, often in cities or around habitation and breeds in clean water.
Other mosquitos are active at dawn and dusk and can breed in groundwater and puddles.
2. Check For Dengue Fever Outbreaks
Before you visit a country, check online to see if there are any current outbreaks of Dengue fever or other mosquito-borne diseases. If there are, reconsider your timing or be extra vigilant. This shouldn’t be a problem for Port Douglas or Queensland. This site will give you health information for Australia, including any Dengue outbreaks.
The latest news on Dengue in Central Queensland is here.
Dengue mosquitos don’t fly far, so it’s possible to pin down local sources. I have experienced mosquito-born disease outbreaks in Port Douglas, but as far as I know there hasn’t been one in a long time.
3. The Wet Season is the Worst.
The wet season in any country brings standing water, perfect for mosquitos to reproduce. Avoid areas with standing water, even saucers under pot plants make good breeding grounds. Some mosquitoes breed in clear water, some muddy.
4. Dawn and Dusk are the Worst Times for Mosquitos
As dusk approaches and just after dark the mozzies will probably be at their worst. If you have to be outside at this time, protect yourself and your kids or pets. Keep doors and windows closed or screened.
Around dawn the mosquitos can also be extra ferocious. Don’t forget that the Dengue mosquitos can bite all day and that any shady shop can simulate dawn or dusk conditions.
5. Mosquito Proof Accommodation.
Any accommodation should have window screens to keep the mozzies out. Air conditioning also helps. Long curtains or spaces under or behind furniture can give mozzies a place to habg out. Your open patio or any open area/ outside showers, can be home to mosquitos. Shady lush vegetation is also great for mozzies.
6. Mosquito Nets.
We have never needed mosquitos in or around Port Douglas. Some “jungle camp” type accommodation in the Daintree will use mosquito nets.
7. Mosquito Killers
Mosquito killer spray can be used to clear rooms if you have unwanted visitors. Spray as you leave the room and don’t breath it
Make sure you spray under beds and behind curtains and cupboards.
In Australia you will see “surface spray” on sale. This sticks to surfaces, never spray it into the air.
8. Avoid Shady Places.
Just as they like dusk and dawn, they love a bit of shade, particularly if there are plenty of hiding places in buildings or foliage.
If the balcony or deck of your accommodation is shady you may see more mosquitos.
9. Mosquito Coils or Incense
Mosquitos find us by sensing our body heat and by “smelling” the carbon dioxide gas we exhale. Mosquito coils mostly work by camouflaging our presence. These smoky things have been linked to cancer.
Incense and citronella burners and candles can also keep the mozzies away outdoors.
10. Mosquito Repellent
DEET is often the most effective and in most “Jungle Strength” formulations. It’s a powerful chemical and can only be used on children in low concentrations. Check the label to see if your mosquito repellent is child friendly.
DEET also dissolves plastics and synthetics, so don’t get it on your sunglasses or any other synthetics.
The mosquito repellant wipes are a very good idea to have in your purse as they’re convenient, light, and shouldn’t leak. We’ve found that they work well.
11. Wear Clothes.
Wearing clothes to protect against mosquitos is only partially effective. Loose clothing that doesn’t touch your skin will stop bites. I’ve seen mozzies bite my legs through tight jeans. Avoid dark colours, mosquitos are drawn to black.
12. Put Your Feet Up.
I’ve heard this recommended elsewhere as being “what the locals do”. The theory is that mosquitos fly near to the ground so are less likely to fly up to a chair and find your bare feet. I’ve tried this in Port Douglas and it didn’t work for me.
13. Mask Your Smell Through Diet.
There is some evidence that mosquitos don’t like the smell of garlic. Maybe the garlic small masks other human smells. The more you eat, the more it seeps out of your skin, you can even rub it on or buy garlic sprays (check for any contra-indications or allergies first.)
Mosquitos are also said to hate the smell of B vitamins. People recommend you eat Marmite or Vegemite to become one of those people that mosquitos don’t like. Unfortunately, this theory has been tested and no evidence found to support it. Why not try anyway!
13. Don’t Wear Black
Mosquito magnets wear black. My husband, in wet season, running the Flagstaff Hill Walking trail, had a swarm of mozzies following him up the road seemingly in love with his black T-shirt.
Mosquitoes like dark shady places and your black clothes look good to them. How to keep mosquitoes away? Stick to light colours.
14. Protect Everywhere.
Should you need to relieve yourself behind a bush or in a camping scenario or public facilities, take note. When you disrobe, certain parts of you may attract mosquitos instantly. Be ready for that! A pack of mosquito-repellent wipes can be handy for this.
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That’s all the tricks and tips for avoiding mosquitos that we know. The subject of mosquito avoidance came up recently and a reader asked for any tips we knew. We’ve had a lot of practice, but we always end up with a few bites in the wet season. Good luck!
