As anyone who has spent any amount of time in China knows, the summer months inevitably bring with them the following things: unbearable heat, frequent ice-cream binges, and swathes of blood thirsty mosquitoes. There is not one place in China where you are completely safe from their high-pitched hum, and here we explore some of the tried-and-tested methods of keeping mosquitoes at bay.

The ‘au-naturel’ approach

Otherwise known as simply doing nothing. While this may sound like a sure-fire way of getting nibbled to the point where you resemble a giant, throbbing bag of pus, there are actually some surprisingly effective methods of keeping mozzies at bay with minimal effort. In order for these to be most effective, we first need to learn what mosquitoes are attracted to in the first place (aside from fresh blood):

1. Dark colours – Mosquitoes, like Tyrannosaurus Rex, are motivated by what they see.   And they are more attracted to dark colours. So in order to quell that initial attraction, don some lighter shades, and sit away from the bushes—foliage is their friend.
2. Carbon dioxide – Mosquitoes find their way in the dark by following CO2 emissions. While this may be great for getting them to uphold the Kyoto Protocol, it doesn’t help us as we exhale our own carbon dioxide emissions while asleep at night. A lit candle or open fire also gives off CO2, so why not light a few and place them at strategic points in the room to try and confuse the mosquitoes. Just be careful not to burn the house down.
3. Lactic acid – Mozzies are so clever they can detect the level of lactic acid in a living being. Judging by that, they should really be employed by the Olympic Training Commission to oversee the athlete’s strenuous training programmes. But while we wait for their job applications to come through, you can reduce your own lactic acid levels before bed by steering clear of salty foods, or anything high in potassium, and avoiding exercising just before bed.
4. Moisture – As well as the chemicals and pheromones that are released when we sweat, mosquitoes are also attracted to the higher levels of humidity that sweating can bring. In fact any still body of water is a potential stomping ground for mozzies: this is where the females go to lay their eggs. So if you find puddles, pools, buckets or gutters with stale water in it, either drain them dry or pop a larvicide tablet in. If you can’t get your hands on larvicide treatments, then bleach or even washing up liquid will work.

Many items found in household cupboards and larders can be used in the Fight Against Bite. Mosquitoes have a natural aversion to certain oils, scents and fragrances; this is reassuring news for parents who are concerned about the potentially damaging effects of over-exposure to bug sprays and other chemical treatments. One simple method is to eat more garlic! As well as boosting our immune systems, and being a natural antioxidant, garlic consumption also helps to repel mosquitoes (a halved garlic clove can also be applied to a fresh bite to reduce itching). But while you may be bite-free, you’ll probably also repel any amorous advances, so do remember to brush your teeth.

Another naturally occurring substance is citronella, which is found in lemongrass. These days you can buy citronella insect repellents which are non-toxic, the only drawback being they need to be reapplied more frequently than stronger, chemical-based products. Or, for the adventurous, you can pick up some lemongrass (香茅 xiāng máo) in your local fruit & veg market (widely available in China), bring it home and rub it all over yourself. *Disclaimer* eChinacities cannot be held responsible for the (in)effectiveness of this method.

Similarly, cinnamon oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil and caster oil, along with others, are all said to be natural bug-repellents. The most effective way is applying a combination, because different strains of mosquito are resistant to different oils.

Finally, the most traditional (and well-loved!) au naturel method is by drinking tonic water. Gallons of it. Originally prescribed by the British Army in Colonial India to combat malaria, tonic water is so named exactly because of the medicinal benefits it brings. It contains quinine, a natural anti-malarial chemical, and although these days a much weaker concentrate is found in bottles of tonic water, its presence can be verified by holding it up to UV light (blacklight). If it glows neon, there’s quinine aplenty! The practice of adding gin to this wünder-elixir was introduced, predictably, by the Brits, who to this day swear they quaff endless gin and tonics just for “medicinal purposes only!” So grab a glass, ice, slice of lemon, fill generously with G&T, and sip away into the night! At least if you still get bitten, you’ll be too drunk to notice.

Chemical Warfare

When chomping bulbs of raw garlic, applying lemongrass under your arms or rolling around soaked in gin prove to be somewhat ineffective, then it’s time to bring out the big guns. Walk into any decent-sized Chinese supermarket and there will be an aisle dedicated to pest control. Smoke coils, electric plugs, bedding nets and bug sprays: they all have their pros and cons, but which is right for you? Let’s see:

1. Mosquito nets – These are relatively cheap and offer long-term protection from mosquitoes and other flying nasties from invading your slumber area. They can be easily attached to single or double beds using hooks or poles, and it’s easy enough to tie them back when not in use. The only problem comes when you unwittingly trap a mosquito inside the net with you, then have to spend the rest of the night listening to its high-pitched serenade, and wake up itching all over. Doubly effective when treated with permethrin, or DEET.
2. Mosquito coils – A longstanding favourite in Asia and Africa, these are cheap to buy, portable, and easy to operate. Simply light up one end and leave it to burn overnight (they usually last between 6-8 hours). Drawbacks include being a fire hazard, creating an unpleasant smoky atmosphere, and being ineffective (one disgruntled source claimed it would be just as effective to light a whole box of cigarettes and leave it burning, although I fear this would be slightly more toxic than the coil). Coils are a good product to use if you are going to be out all night; if you time it right you can enjoy returning home to a smoke-free, bug-free room.
3. Plug-in Repellents – Electrical mosquito repellent plugs (or ‘mosquito plugs’) are devices that can be plugged straight into the socket, and emit a steady chemical flow throughout the night. They are about as effective as mosquito coils, minus the smoke, but they need to be refilled every night with tablets or bottles of chemical solution (both widely available in supermarkets).
4. Bug spray – This is the most ‘in-your-face’ method of dealing with mozzies on the spot. There are a myriad of brands available in China, although one of the most recognizable and popular is Raid, who make sprays for dealing with mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, moths, fleas etc. Bug spray is another low-cost option, and there’s nothing more satisfying that knowing you have caught the blighter in your deathly mist. However many bug spray aerosols (especially the Chinese brands) leave a lingering chemical odour that can leave you feeling uncomfortable.

Most expats living in China live in larger cities, where diseases and illnesses carried by mosquitoes are not a big threat, thus getting bitten by a mosquito is more of an inconvenience than a life-threatening situation. However if you venture out into more rural parts of China, be sure to take precautions against getting bitten: the threat of certain mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue-fever and Japanese encephalitis still looms large. If you are bitten and you start to develop fever, rashes, breathing difficulties or any other abnormalities, then head straight to hospital. Otherwise, if it’s just an itchy lump that bothers you, then there are plenty of creams and ointments out there that will soothe the itching. My own personal tip is to rub some tiger balm (万金油) on the affected area. This can be bought on the cheap in Chinese pharmacies and some supermarkets. If you get bitten while out at night, then another simple remedy is to rub neat alcohol on the bite; something like whiskey, tequila or vodka works well. If all else fails, drink the alcohol and the bite will be gone in the morning (only to be replaced by a headache)!

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: keeping mosquitoes at bay Mosquito-Free in China