News

Traveller's backpack, passport, straw hat and spray bottle on a wooden terrace of a tropical guesthouse in morning light
Dengue Vaccination for Travellers: Who It Is Actually For
The dengue vaccine Qdenga is mainly for travellers aged 4+ who have had dengue before. Everyone else should focus on avoiding day-biting mosquito bites. Read more...
Safari lodge veranda at dusk with a mosquito net over the bed and a passport on a rattan table, ready for a trip to a malaria area
Malaria Tablets and Repellent: Why Prophylaxis Alone Is Not Enough
Malaria tablets don’t stop bites and no regimen is 100% effective. Combine them with repellent, clothing and nets, and treat any fever after travel urgently. Read more...
Travel preparation flat lay with passport, yellow vaccination booklet, tropical map, straw hat and sunglasses on a sunny wooden table
What a Travel Clinic Checks Before a Tropical Trip
A travel clinic reviews your route, health and vaccines, checks entry certificates and malaria tablets, and plans bite prevention. Book at least 8 weeks ahead. Read more...
Bare legs and feet resting on a linen towel on a sunny garden deck beside a bowl of chamomile flowers
Dark Marks and Scarring After Insect Bites: How to Reduce Them
Most dark spots after insect bites are temporary pigment (PIH), not scars. Avoid scratching and protect marks from the sun so they fade within months. Read more...
Calm bedroom at night with a warm bedside lamp, linen bedding and an open window with an insect screen — a cool, quiet room helps when insect bites itch more at night
Why Insect Bites Itch More at Night (and How to Sleep Through It)
Bites itch more at night: cortisol is at its lowest, skin warms before sleep and there are fewer distractions. Why it happens and how to calm the itch fast. Read more...
Garden lawn bordered by a wood-chip path and woodland edge with a log store and a roe deer grazing among autumn trees
Why Deer, Mice and Garden Layout Drive Tick Numbers
Mice and voles infect young ticks, deer feed the adults that lay eggs, and shady garden edges let ticks survive. Here’s how hosts and layout shape tick numbers. Read more...
Hiker in trousers tucked into socks walking a sunlit autumn woodland path lined with tall grass and ferns, typical tick habitat in Europe
Tick-Borne Diseases Beyond Lyme and TBE: Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Rickettsia
Besides Lyme and TBE, ticks in Europe can spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis, rickettsia, tularaemia and CCHF. Symptoms, risk areas and how to prevent bites. Read more...
Hiker sitting on a wooden bench at the edge of an autumn forest meadow, checking the legs and back of the knee for ticks after a walk
Where Ticks Hide on the Body: A Head-to-Toe Tick Check Map
Ticks crawl upwards before biting and settle in warm, hidden spots: behind the knees, groin, waistband, armpits, ears and hairline. Check there daily. Read more...
Sunlit country-house window in autumn with a vase of dried grasses on the sill and a few flies resting on the glass, garden with autumn trees outside
Why Flies Swarm Your Windows in Autumn (and How to Stop Them)
The slow flies on your windows in autumn are usually cluster flies seeking a winter shelter. They are harmless, do not breed indoors and are easy to keep out. Read more...
Brown marmorated stink bug resting on a sunlit white window frame in autumn with golden garden leaves outside
Stink Bugs Indoors in Autumn: Harmless, Smelly and Easy to Evict
Stink bugs in the house are harmless: they do not bite or sting. Learn why they come indoors in autumn, why they smell, and how to evict them chemical-free. Read more...
Three harlequin ladybirds resting on a sunlit white wooden window frame with a blurred autumn garden in the background
Harlequin Ladybirds Indoors: Do They Actually Bite?
Harlequin ladybirds occasionally nip skin in autumn, but the bite is a harmless pinch with no venom. Here is why they come indoors and how to remove them safely. Read more...
Bumblebee and hoverfly on lavender and wildflowers in a late-summer cottage garden with a wooden table in golden evening light
Which Insects Should You Protect? Pollinators vs Biting Pests
Most garden insects are pollinators or pest-eaters; only a few, like mosquitoes, midges and ticks, bite. Protect your skin, not the garden, to keep both safe. Read more...
Insect repellent bottles, sun cream and a tick remover sorted on a wooden table by an autumn window, next to a basket and a recycling box
End-of-Season Kit Check: What to Keep, Replace and Recycle
Before winter, check each repellent and sun cream: keep in-date, well-stored products, replace anything degraded, recycle empties and never pour leftovers away. Read more...
Frosty late-autumn garden at dawn with a wooden shed, rain barrel and misty pond where mosquitoes shelter over winter
Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter? How They Survive the Cold
Mosquitoes don’t migrate: they survive winter dormant as adult females in cellars and sheds, as eggs in containers and soil, or as larvae in ponds and tree holes. Read more...
incognito Elite Traveller Bundle travel kit with DEET-free insect repellent spray, roll-on and SPF30 sunblock on a wooden table by a tropical beach
Long-Haul Winter Sun: Do You Still Need Insect Repellent?
Yes: in the Caribbean, Brazil, Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka and African safari areas mosquitoes bite all winter. See where the risk is highest and how to pack. Read more...
incognito® insect repellent spray, roll-on and mineral SPF30 sunblock on a sunny Mediterranean terrace next to a packed suitcase for an October half-term trip
Autumn Half-Term Travel: Where Mosquito Risk Is Still High in October
Mosquitoes still bite in October in southern Europe, the Canaries, Caribbean, Florida and Asia. See where risk stays high over half-term and how to pack. Read more...
Mediterranean village terrace at dusk with potted olive trees and lavender overlooking the sea, the time of day when sandflies are most active
Sandflies and Leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean: What Travellers Should Know
Sandflies carry leishmaniasis across the Mediterranean. They bite at dusk from April to November; repellent, covered skin, fans and fine screens cut the risk. Read more...
Open hiking first-aid pouch with plasters, antiseptic wipes and tweezers on a rock beside a mountain trail, with boots and a backpack behind
A Minimal Bite and Sting First-Aid Kit for Hikers
Pack a light hiking first-aid kit for bites and stings: repellent, tick remover, antiseptic wipes, antihistamines and a cold pack, plus when to call 112. Read more...
Sunlit wooden window in autumn with a delicate dew-covered spider web in the corner, a knitted blanket and potted plant on the sill
Autumn House Spiders: Which Ones Actually Bite?
Most autumn house spiders are harmless males looking for a mate. Only a few European species, such as false widows, can bite, usually like a wasp sting. Read more...
Sunlit autumn living room with a woven wool rug, wooden floor and a cat asleep by the window — where indoor flea populations build up after summer
Fleas Indoors: Why Infestations Peak After Summer
Flea infestations peak in autumn: a summer of breeding leaves pupae in the carpet that hatch when the heating goes on. How to spot flea bites and clear them. Read more...
A chestnut horse standing in a sunlit paddock beside a white post-and-rail fence, with a stable block behind, where horseflies are most active
Horseflies Around Horses and Stables: How to Protect Yourself While Riding
Horseflies bite hardest around stables and paddocks. Here is why they target riders, how to dress and time your ride, and what to do after a painful bite. Read more...
A narrow grassy path through an early-autumn woodland, with a walker's boots and trousers at the edge of the tall grass where ticks live
Lyme Disease Testing: When It Helps and When It Misleads
Lyme blood tests measure antibodies, not bacteria, so a test in the first days after a tick bite tells you little. When testing helps, and when it misleads. Read more...
Autumn forest trail in Central Europe seen from a walker's point of view, with hiking boots and long trousers tucked into socks as protection against ticks
TBE Booster Shots: How Often Do You Really Need One?
The first TBE booster is due within three years of the third dose, then usually every five years — and no more than every three years from age 60. Read more...
Walker on a misty European woodland trail in warm late-autumn light, illustrating Europe’s lengthening mosquito and tick season
How Climate Change Is Stretching Europe’s Insect Season
Warmer springs, milder winters and longer autumns have stretched Europe’s mosquito and tick season at both ends. Here is what that means in practice. Read more...
incognito® DEET-free insect repellent spray on a wooden garden table next to terracotta plant pots on a sunny terrace
The Asian Tiger Mosquito in Germany: Where It Has Established and What to Do
The Asian tiger mosquito is established in Germany’s Upper Rhine valley and spreading. Here is how to spot it, report it and avoid its daytime bites. Read more...
Two people in loose light beige linen clothing sitting at a wooden garden table at dusk, illustrating how pale clothing helps avoid mosquito bites
Does the Colour of Your Clothing Affect Mosquito Bites?
Yes — but only at close range. Mosquitoes prefer red, orange and black; white and green attract least. Fabric and coverage matter far more than colour. Read more...
Sunny late-summer garden picnic table with lidded lemonade jars, a covered fruit bowl and a small first-aid pouch
Insect Sting Allergy: Warning Signs, Anaphylaxis and What to Carry
A sting allergy causes symptoms beyond the sting site. Anaphylaxis needs adrenaline and emergency help at once; allergic people should carry two auto-injectors. Read more...
Calm lakeside meadow at golden hour with a linen picnic blanket and wicker basket among reeds and wildflowers
Skeeter Syndrome: Why Some People Swell Up After a Mosquito Bite
Skeeter syndrome is a large local allergic reaction to mosquito saliva: hot, hard swelling within hours. Here is what causes it, what helps and when to worry. Read more...
incognito® DEET-free insect repellent spray on a wooden garden table beside fresh lemongrass and an essential oil bottle
DIY Insect Repellent Recipes: Why Homemade Sprays Underperform
Homemade insect repellent sprays rarely protect for long: essential oils evaporate fast, doses vary and recipes are untested. Here’s what works better. Read more...
Sunlit kitchen counter by an open window with a folded white cloth, a bowl of ice water, a halved onion and lemon on a wooden board — classic home remedies for itchy insect bites
Home Remedies for Itchy Bites: Heat, Ice, Onion and What the Evidence Says
Cold packs help, onion and toothpaste do not. Here is what the evidence says about home remedies for itchy insect bites — and what actually calms the itch. Read more...
Fine-tipped tweezers, a tick removal hook and a tick card on a mossy log in a sunlit forest meadow
Tick Tweezers, Cards or Hooks: Which Removal Tool Actually Works?
Fine-tipped tweezers and tick hooks remove ticks most reliably; cards suit larger ticks. Technique beats the tool: grip at the skin and pull out steadily. Read more...
A child’s backpack and small wellington boots on dewy grass by a wooden fence at the edge of a nursery school playing field on an early autumn morning
Insect Bites at Nursery and School: A Parent’s Back-to-School Guide
Most bites children bring home from nursery or school need only cleaning, cooling and less scratching. Here is what bites, what to do and when to worry. Read more...
Wicker basket of freshly picked wild mushrooms on the leaf-littered floor of an autumn forest, with walking boots and trousers tucked into socks nearby
Mushroom Foraging and Ticks: How to Stay Safe in Autumn Woods
Mushroom picking is one of the highest-risk autumn activities for tick bites. Here is where ticks wait, what to wear, and the five-minute check that works. Read more...
Autumn woodland path covered in golden fallen leaves with morning sunlight through beech trees, typical tick habitat in September and October
The Autumn Tick Peak: Why September and October Are Riskier Than People Expect
Ticks in Europe have a second activity peak in September and October — here is why autumn bites get missed and the five-minute routine that prevents them. Read more...
Sunlit garden table on a late-summer afternoon with a covered cake dome, a bowl of ripe plums and apples and lidded glasses of lemonade
Why Wasps Turn Aggressive in Late Summer (and How to Eat Outside in Peace)
Wasps turn bold in late summer because the colony stops feeding them sugar. Why it happens — and how to keep them off your table without getting stung. Read more...
Sunlit hiking trail through an alpine wildflower meadow with pine forest and snow-dusted peaks in the Austrian Alps
Insect Bites at Altitude: What Bites in the Alps and What Stops Higher Up
Mosquitoes thin out as you climb, but ticks now reach far higher in the Alps. Here is what bites at each elevation — and how hikers stay bite-free. Read more...
Sunglasses and a wristwatch with a resin strap resting on a weathered wooden table outdoors, with a summer meadow blurred behind them
Why Some Insect Repellents Damage Plastic, Glasses and Watch Straps
DEET acts as a solvent on plastics. Here is what it damages — frames, lens coatings, watch straps, phone cases — and how DEET-free PMD compares. Read more...
A white mosquito net draped over a wooden bed in a sunlit tropical guesthouse room with palm leaves visible through the open window
Mosquito Nets vs Repellent: What Works Where
A net protects you while you sleep, repellent while you are awake. Which you need depends on the mosquito species, the hour of day and the room you are in. Read more...
A tabby cat sitting alert in short sunlit garden grass beside a green hedge, where ticks quest on low vegetation
Ticks on Cats and Small Pets: What Owners Should Know
Cats and small pets carry ticks straight indoors. How to check them, how to remove a tick safely, and why dog permethrin spot-ons can be fatal to cats. Read more...
An adult gently smoothing lotion onto a child's forearm in a sunlit summer garden, illustrating gentle skincare for sensitive and atopic skin
Insect Repellent and Sensitive or Atopic Skin: What to Use and What to Avoid
Yes, you can use insect repellent with eczema-prone skin. Moisturise first, keep it off broken skin, patch test, and choose a low-irritant DEET-free formula. Read more...
Do You Need Insect Repellent in Autumn? What Still Bites in September and October
Yes — for most of September and often into October. Mosquitoes, ticks, wasps and harvest mites stay active until the weather really turns cold in autumn. Read more...
Trail runner on a narrow woodland path at golden hour, tall summer grass along the trail and mist over a meadow beyond the trees
Bite Prevention for Runners and Cyclists: How to Train Without Getting Bitten
Exercise raises the CO2, heat and sweat signals insects track. Here is how runners and cyclists keep mosquitoes, horseflies and ticks off during training. Read more...
Sunlit hiking path at the edge of a mixed forest and wildflower meadow in the Bavarian Alps foothills in late spring, typical tick habitat in Germany and Austria
Tick Season in Germany and Austria: Risk Areas and When to Be Careful
Tick season in Germany and Austria runs from March to October and peaks in May–July. Germany maps FSME risk districts; Austria is endemic countrywide. Read more...
Small city apartment balcony at dusk with potted herbs, a bistro table and city rooftops in the background
Insect Repellent for City Balconies and Rooftop Terraces
Balcony mosquitoes usually breed in your own plant saucers and drains. Empty standing water weekly, run a fan, and use DEET-free repellent at dusk. Read more...
Warm golden-hour garden terrace with a wooden table, a glass of water, fresh herbs and a long-sleeved shirt over a chair — a calm evening setting where mosquitoes bite
Do Mosquitoes Come Back to the Same Person? Repellent Habits That Actually Work
Mosquitoes keep returning to the same person because your CO2, body heat and skin bacteria barely change. Here are the repellent habits that actually work. Read more...
Calm bedroom at dusk with an insect mesh screen fitted to the open window and white linen bedding, warm summer evening light
How to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Bedroom at Night
Screens, a bed net, a fan and a weekly standing-water check keep mosquitoes out of the bedroom — plus what to do when one is already buzzing at 2 a.m. Read more...
Hiker on a woodland path in tall grass wearing long trousers tucked into socks and walking boots to keep ticks off the skin
Should You Treat Clothing Against Ticks? Permethrin and the Alternatives
Treating clothing protects the fabric, not your skin. What permethrin does, where it falls short, and the alternatives that work in tick habitat. Read more...
Two young children in wide-brimmed sun hats and long-sleeved rash vests playing in the shade of a beach parasol on pale sand, sea in the background
Sunburn in Children: What to Do and What to Avoid
Move your child out of the sun, cool the skin for 15 minutes, hydrate and keep it covered. Here is what to do for sunburn in children — and what... Read more...
A woman in a light long-sleeved shirt and straw hat resting in dappled shade under a tree at the edge of a sunlit summer meadow
Sun Allergy and Polymorphic Light Eruption: What Actually Helps
Most sun allergy is polymorphic light eruption — an itchy rash after the first strong sun. What prevents it, what soothes it, and when to see a doctor. Read more...
A folded clean cotton cloth and a bowl of cool water on a weathered wooden garden table beside wildflowers and a straw hat, sunlit summer meadow behind
Infected Insect Bite: Warning Signs and When to See a Doctor
An infected insect bite gets worse after day two: spreading redness, pain, pus or fever. Here is how to tell it from a normal reaction and when to see a... Read more...