During summer, it’s important to be extra vigilant to avoid insect bites and stings, especially from mosquitos.

Mosquitos breed in summer around your home, backyard and in bushland, if there is any water lying around, such as in ponds, buckets or containers. Make sure you empty these and leave them dry so the mosquitos have fewer places to breed.

The coast is also a breeding ground for mosquitos with mangroves, rivers and lakes surrounding all popular family camping grounds.

To prevent bites and protect your entire family’s health from these annoying, disease-carrying insects, you should do the following:

- Wear long, loose fitting and light coloured clothing.

- Use a personal insect repellant particularly during dusk and dawn when these insects are most active and looking for an exposed arm or leg to bite. Ask your pharmacist about using these products on babies and very young children.

- Install insect screens on all windows and doors, and use mosquito nets around children’s beds or cribs if you live in a particularly hot climate.

If you become unwell with a fever, rash or joint pain following a mosquito bite you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

The most common sign of a mosquito bite is a red, very itchy lump at the site. In some places such as your face, the bump can become quite swollen as the area is generally more sensitive than your arms and legs.

You can apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion, both available from your pharmacy, to help relieve the itching and use an ice pack to help reduce the swelling. Many people scratch too much causing the skin to break and this can lead to an infection – try with all your might to avoid scratching. In severe cases an antihistamine from your pharmacy will help.

To reduce mozzie bites make sure you wear long sleeved, light clothing and use insect nets, personal insect repellant and citronella candles outdoors.