Insect Bites & Stings: Treatment & Prevention Guide (Australia)

Preventing Bites: Repellents That Actually Work

Prevention is far easier than treatment, and in Australia it also lowers your risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. The two repellent ingredients with the strongest evidence are DEET and picaridin. Check the active ingredient on the label rather than choosing on brand name alone.

• radio_button_uncheckedDEET (diethyltoluamide): The most studied insect repellent in the world. Concentrations of around 10–20% give several hours of protection for everyday use; higher strengths last longer but do not repel more insects. Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and midges.
• radio_button_uncheckedPicaridin: Works about as well as DEET at similar concentrations, is less greasy, has less odour and is kinder to plastics and synthetic fabrics. A good choice if you dislike the feel of DEET.
• radio_button_uncheckedApply repellent to all exposed skin, not just a dab, since patchy application leaves gaps that mosquitoes find. Reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
• radio_button_uncheckedCover up at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active: long, loose, light-coloured sleeves and trousers. Insect screens and knock-down sprays help indoors.
• radio_button_uncheckedBotanical repellents (such as oil of lemon eucalyptus) can offer shorter-lived protection, but plain citronella candles and wristbands are not reliable.

Treating the Itch and Swelling

Mosquito, sandfly, midge and ant bites cause itching and a small raised lump because your immune system reacts to the insect's saliva. This is uncomfortable but usually settles on its own within a few days. The goal of treatment is to relieve the itch and reduce the urge to scratch, because scratching can break the skin and lead to infection.

Sandfly and Midge Bites

Sandflies (biting midges) are a particular nuisance in coastal and northern parts of Australia, especially around dawn and dusk near mangroves, estuaries and wetlands. Their bites are tiny but can be intensely itchy and often last longer than mosquito bites, sometimes for a week or more. Because the itch is so persistent, people tend to scratch, which raises the risk of infection.

Treatment is the same as for mosquito bites: resist scratching, use a cold pack, and apply an anti-itch product such as an aluminium sulphate spray or hydrocortisone 1% cream. A DEET or picaridin repellent helps, but sandflies are small enough to pass through standard mosquito screens, so fine mesh and covering up matter in known sandfly areas.

Stings, Ticks, Spiders and Snakes: Where to Go Next

Not every bite is a simple itchy nuisance. Bee and wasp stings, ticks, and spider or snake bites each need their own first aid approach, so we've covered them in dedicated guides. The one-line version of each, so you know where to head:

• radio_button_uncheckedBee or wasp sting: scrape the sting out sideways (bees only) and apply a cold pack. See our bee and wasp sting treatment guide for full first aid steps.
• radio_button_uncheckedTick bite: do not squeeze, scratch or pull it out — freeze it in place and let it drop off. See our guide to safe tick removal in Australia.
• radio_button_uncheckedSnake bite or suspected funnel-web spider bite: call 000 immediately and apply pressure-immobilisation bandaging. See our spider and snake bite first aid guide.
• radio_button_uncheckedRedback spider bite: apply a cold pack (not pressure-immobilisation) and seek urgent medical care. Full detail is in the same spider and snake bite guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you stop a mosquito bite itching?

Cool it first: a cold pack or cool cloth takes the edge off the itch. Then reach for an aluminium sulphate spray (Stingose) or a hydrocortisone 1% cream, and add an oral antihistamine if several bites are bothering you at once. The one rule that really matters is not to scratch, because broken skin can become infected. Most bites fade within a few days.

Which insect repellent works best in Australia?

The two ingredients with the strongest evidence are DEET and picaridin. Both are widely available in Australian pharmacies and supermarkets under various brands. A concentration of around 10–20% suits everyday use; higher strengths last longer rather than working better. Apply to all exposed skin and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating. Check the label for the minimum age before using on children.

How do I know if a bite has become infected?

A normal bite is itchy and mildly swollen and improves over a few days. Signs of infection include redness that spreads or deepens, increasing warmth, pain or swelling after the first day or two, pus or weeping, and sometimes a fever. If you notice these, see your GP, as an infected bite (cellulitis) may need antibiotics.

When should I see a doctor or call 000 for a bite?

Call 000 immediately for any signs of a severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling of the face, tongue or throat, widespread hives, dizziness or collapse. See a doctor promptly for a bite that looks infected, or a bite near the eye. If you're dealing with a bee or wasp sting, a tick, or a suspected spider or snake bite, see our dedicated first aid guides for those. When in doubt, it is always safer to seek advice.