Mosquitoes are a nuisance at most tropical resorts, and in some destinations they carry diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika or malaria. The risk differs by country, region and season, and it is a good example of a planning task that takes ten minutes at home and can save a lot of trouble. This article explains how to find the right advice for your destination, what the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for bite prevention, and how to set up your day and your room. It is general information, not medical advice, so speak to a doctor or travel clinic before you travel, especially if you are pregnant, travelling with children or have a health condition.

Check your destination before you go

The CDC publishes health information for travellers by destination, including which mosquito-borne diseases are present and whether any preventive medicine or vaccines are recommended. Look up your country on the CDC travellers’ health site and read the notices, and check your own government’s travel health service if you are not in the United States. Do this four to six weeks before travel if you can, because some vaccines and medicines need time. Our guide to travel insurance for a resort trip also covers what to check in case you need treatment abroad.

Know when mosquitoes bite

Different mosquitoes bite at different times. Mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika tend to bite during the day, and those that spread malaria tend to bite from dusk to dawn. That matters for a beach holiday, because it means protection is not only an evening matter. Plan to use repellent in the morning and afternoon if the destination has daytime-biting mosquitoes, and in the evening around lights, vegetation and standing water.

Use a registered repellent

The CDC advises using an insect repellent registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Active ingredients on its list include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol and 2-undecanone. Always follow the label. Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under three years old. Apply repellent after sunscreen, not before, and do not apply it under clothing. Do not spray it on the skin of a baby, and speak to your paediatrician about the right approach for young children. Our guide to sun, heat and hydration at a resort explains sun protection habits that sit alongside repellent.

Dress for the evening

Long sleeves and long trousers reduce the skin you expose, and light-coloured, loose clothing is more comfortable in the heat. The CDC also notes that clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin, a product designed for fabric, not skin, and some travellers buy pre-treated items. You do not need technical gear for a resort week, but covering up at dinner by the garden or on the beach after sunset is a sensible step. Closed shoes help on garden paths.

Set up your room

• Keep windows and doors closed, or use the screens if the room has them.
• Use air conditioning if the room has it, since mosquitoes prefer open, humid spaces.
• Check whether the bed has a net where mosquitoes are a particular concern, and ask the resort if one can be provided.
• Do not leave water standing in containers on a balcony, as stagnant water is where mosquitoes breed.
• Ask the resort about its mosquito control and fumigation schedule, and how it handles guests with allergies or breathing problems.

Plan your outings

Forest walks, river trips, cenotes and boat tours can mean more bites than the resort pool. Before an excursion, apply repellent and wear long sleeves if you can. Our guides to things to do beyond the resort highlight outings that take you inland, where this is more relevant.

If you are bitten or fall ill

Most bites are an annoyance, and you can treat itching with a cool compress or a product recommended by a pharmacist. Do not scratch, as broken skin can become infected. If you develop a fever, headache, joint or muscle pain, rash or other symptoms during your trip or in the weeks after you return, see a doctor and tell them where you travelled. Do not wait until you get home if you feel very unwell. Carry your insurance details and the resort’s contact number, and ask guest services for a recommended clinic.

Keep it in proportion

For most travellers at a well-run resort, the aim is to reduce bites, not to avoid the trip. The steps above are simple: look up the destination, bring a registered repellent, cover up when sensible and keep the room closed. Check the CDC advice for your destination close to departure, because outbreaks and recommendations change, and use it to decide whether you need to see a doctor before you go.