How to Avoid Mosquitoes in the Whitsunday Islands

The humble mosquito is yet another of Mother Nature’s critters living on earth for a specific purpose – to suck the blood of all its victims, right? Incorrect! The mosquito has a higher purpose. True, the first reason for any mosquito is to find the blood of a homosapien in its own quest for survival. But the other purpose to justify the life of a mosquito is to provide food for the delicate dragonfly. This symbiotic dependence of hunter and prey is is at home in the Great Barrier Reef but unlike Australia’s Asian neighbours, the majority of mosquito spread diseases are mostly harmless or at least, occasional. 

The pain of a sting from a mosquito is possibly shared by every single person in the world. For some more than others for those who have that instant allergic reaction to a bite and spend the next four hours scratching the site of the attack till it bleeds. There are actually a number of reasons why mosquitoes are attracted to one type of person more so than others and having an understanding of the reasons why and how to prevent and treat the worst of the dreaded mosquito bite can go a long way to alleviating some painful moments.

Great Barrier Reef Mosquitoes
Along with a number of different types of mosquitoes is a variety of diseases this annoyinginsect brings to humans. The list includes the diseases brought by mosquitoes from various regions of the world. Thankfully, the number of diseases carried by mosquitoes in the Whitsunday Islands is limited, making this the ideal tropical paradise for soaking in the atmosphere without the added worry of being bitten by a mosquito carrying a deadly disease.

Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes Globally
Malaria
Fevers such as Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and Ross River Fever
Encephalitis including; St Louis, Japanese and Murray River Valley

Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes in the Great Barrier Reef
There have been no recorded incidences of malaria in Australia but there are reports of potentially fatal diseases, especially in the northern tropical regions. 

Dengue Fever
Ross River Fever
Murray River Valley Encephalitis

Being careful is the key
The obvious way to avoid any disease carried by the mosquito is prevention. There are some excellent ways to protect ourselves from the inevitable, especially if you are a visitor to the tropics of far north Queensland. As a resident of North Queensland it is known that it is possible to build up an amount of immunity to the most common types of the region and within a few short weeks are barely bothered by the annoying pest. But for the newcomer, prevention comes in the form of sprays, roll-ons or even boosting vitamin B intake. You can also buy elastic bands; strap them around your wrist or ankle. Some people also go to great trouble with Citronella candles, which rarely seem effective. Making the most of paradise includes some simple methods to improve the experience. 

The Dangerous critters of the Great Barrier Reef series has been commissioned by Toscana Village Resort, Airlie Beach accommodation.