Mosquitoes

We have 16 species of mosquito established in Aotearoa New Zealand. No New Zealand currently mosquitoes pass on diseases to people.

New Zealand mosquitoes — Southern Monitoring Servicesexternal link

Exotic mosquitoes

Exotic mosquitoes can carry diseases they pass on to people, such as chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever.

Keeping healthy when travelling

Public health and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) monitor our borders to detect and respond to exotic mosquitoes.

Call MPI on 0800 669 943 if you think you have found an exotic mosquito.

Atlas of biosecurity surveillance — Ministry for Primary Industriesexternal link

Mosquito bites will usually go away on their own after a few days. You should avoid scratching the area because this can make it worse.

Call your healthcare provider if you get a rash around the area of a bite or start to feel unwell.

If you were bitten by a mosquito while overseas in a tropical country and are feeling unwell see your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Mosquitoes are most active during warmer months, during dawn and dusk.

Indoors

• Install screens on windows and doors.
• Use insect sprays when mosquitoes are around.
• Use mosquito coils.
• Use a mosquito net over your bed at night. You can also spray this with insect spray if you want.
• Turn on air conditioning or fans if you have them. These are very effective at keeping mosquitoes out of a room.

Outdoors

• Use insect repellent. Diethyltoluamide (DEET) is best for preventing bites from mosquitoes which carry illnesses. Recommended concentrations are 20% - 50% for adults and 20% - 30% for children. Always check the product instructions before use, especially for infants, and speak with a doctor or pharmacist if you require more advice. Repellents should not be applied to wounds, irritated skin, eyes or mouth
• Put sunscreen on before insect repellent.
• Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats. Clothing can be treated with repellent.
• Use zip-up screens on tents.
• Avoid places where mosquitoes are most active, such as swampy areas.

Mosquitoes are usually found near standing water sources, such as swamps, pools, ponds and gutters.

Stop mosquitoes breeding around your home

• Tips to help stop mosquitoes breeding around your home.
• Get rid of all tins, jars, bottles, plastic bags or other items that can lie around and hold water.
• Get rid of all old tyres and drill holes in the bottom of tyre swings.
• Fill or drain hollows in the ground that can hold water.
• Overturn boats, canoes and dinghies — in fact, anything you have to store outside that could hold water.
• Cover venting pipes on septic tanks with mosquito-proof covers.
• Seal or cover rainwater tanks.
• Stock ponds with fish (some fish love mosquito larvae).

To help keep them away, every week you should:

• empty and clean pot plant saucers, even better, fill them with sand
• empty and clean animal and pet drinking water containers
• check gutters and drains are clear of leaves and blockages
• empty pot plants that hold their water
• keep swimming pools well chlorinated and filtered and free of dead leaves
• empty paddling pools.