Avoid bug and thick bites during travelling

The danger is not only in Africa, but also in Central and South America or Asia, where some of these diseases can be found. I was pretty shocked to find dengue even in mancore in peru during one of my  journeys.

And as the Zika disease shows, it is no longer just the countries directly around the equator that are severely affected. Zika is now found throughout South America. And Zika attacks the genetic material, which only becomes important again when the question of children arises.

The diseases rarely have a fatal course, but it is worth protecting yourself.

Global Map of Zika

During our own 70`000 Miles overland journey by 4x4 we had time to test a lot. To protect ourself is pretty easy in my eyes, with using this three easy steps:

1. Use a repellent for your visible skin. 
2. Use special repellent (washable) for your clothes
3. Use clothes with bite protection

Skin repellents

Dont trust these repellent comparisons you can find. The local pharmancy always knows what will works best locally. 

If you use the same the locals did use will work, at least when the locals can afford good repellent.

At example central africa just stuff with deet above 30% will helps to get eaten pretty quickly. They are to aggressive to even note those picaridin based solution. Picardin did works well in south america. Dont overrate brands - you just need strong repellents and you can read somewhere on the package how many % is embedded.

Repellent with Deet 50%  will works world wide, but it is aggresive to plastic and synthetic fabrics. We can recommend NoBite, which always deliver the highes percentage of active substance. But internationally it is easier to find this: Skin Repellent with Deet

Insect Repellent Treatment for Clothing, Gear, and Tents

For use on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear, Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent not only repels insects, it actually kills mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects on contact. Odorless after drying, Permethrin will not stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or any of your gear. 

Permethrin is applied to clothing and outdoor gear material, bonding to the fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first). We can reccomend here NoBite Textile. But internationally it is easier to find this: Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents

Clothes with are Mosquito safe

That those repellents arent the most healthy stuff is evident, so we have to look that we dont use a lot of it. To wear clothes where the mosquitos cant bite through will minimize the amount of repellent, which you have to use on the left open skin like hands, face.

Fjällrävens famous G-1000 fabric is Mosquito safe. The tight weave keeps mosquitoes and other flying insects away from your skin – practical both in the mountains and the forest, or when travelling in hot climates. What was made for expeditions will also help us today tourists in more exoctic places. 

Fjällräven Mens: trousers, long-sleeved shirt

Fjällräven Womens:trousers, long-sleeved shirt

Even in Cameroon or Congo - we didnt note a single bite through this G-1000 fabric of Fjällräven.

Conclusion

It is not so hard to get a good protection. Use those textile repellent treatments before you start your trip. Refresh the threatment if necessary. Use skin repellent during your journey. 

And buy moquito bite safe clothes if you plan to stay extended (more than 3 weeks) in such regions like showed on those maps.

Dont stick to brands, look what local repellente will delivers most of this active substance like Deet, Picardin or Permethrin. 

With writing this Article we do assume, that you sleep inside of your vehicle and you will consider too mosquito protection. You dont want to sleep too in G1000 clothes and using repellent too at night. To use mosquito nets on all doors / windows is mandatory too. If you plan to stay too at hostels, cabanas and hotels abroad, you will often find old mosquito nets or nets with holes.

Do yourself a favor and carry a foldable mosquito net dome. They are cheap and easy to use -if necessary. You will love this if you can hear the mosquitos in your room and you recognize that you are save! I did too use those repellent spray in the bathroom, so they cant catch me during a pitstop at night.

We did considered above steps during our own journeys with our Land Cruiser. We did cross africa and travel south america and didnt got sick once during our 70`000 Miles roadtrip. Others got Malaria 6 times just on their transafrica without preparing. Decide yourself. More about our journeys you can read here. We wish you a nice and safe journey! 

World Map of Dengue

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