Mozzies hard on Bali newcomers

It takes a while to get used to a new scene, with a different set of problems to overcome. Yesterday I got a call from a newcomer to Bali, who complained about the mosquitoes out here. He has a wife and baby and said they were unable to sleep, the wife and baby having to move the next day to a hotel.

What can you do about the mozzies, if you move to Bali? Mosquitoes like dark places, including the underside of bushes, underneath buckets, lids, furniture. They are attracted to dark objects like my BBQ and dark clothing. Mosquitoes come out at dawn and particularly at dusk, they then settle down, but will be active during the night.

If you rent a place in Bali, which will always mean a more open design than in the west, you must expect mosquitoes to in the house. Things you can do to make things comfortable for yourself are as follows:

•Trim bushes and remove sacks, and other items that provide dark cover.
•Drain flower pots (I did this by boring holes in them), or put small fish in them (ask a local where to buy the fish), to limit the places where mosquiotes can breed.
•Fog your garden once a week (talk to the owner about this).
•Spray underneath cabinets and beds with Baygon, available at every Circle K.
•Sleep with a mosquito net.
•Burn a mosquito coil. I use one at the end of my porch, meaning its between me and the garden. At night you can leave your door open to allow air-flow, but place a coil in the doorway.
•Get a mosquito racket (electric bug swatter). These enable you to zap a mozzie in a few seconds, should you spot one inside your net. I can kill 30 a minute with the raquet.
•Wear long pants and shirt during ‘bug hour’.
•Use linament on your ankles.

For a person from a a cold climate it can be a bit unerving, knowing your house is surrounded by tiny creatures intent on biting you. Don’t stress it, as the worst time is by far 5.30rp-7.30pm.