Controlling malaria and dengue in Bali

Wet season in Bali means hot humid weather, flooded streets and puddles. Ideal conditions for mosquitoes (nyamuk) to breed and spread disease.

Bali does have malaria and dengue fever, and I have met Balinese locals who have had both. The fact that Bali attracts people from all over Indonesia, who come as migrant workers, and also tourists who have been in other parts of the country, means people often get diagnosed here, having been infected somewhere else. Still, there is a slight possibility of malaria and dengue.

My downstairs bedroom in right next to the garden. If I take a quick nap in the afternoon, I am assured of taking a couple of bites. After living in Bali for a lost 4 years, I’ve had thousands. To a newcomer, the idea of having these ‘attack minded’ insects around is uncomfortable. For people who live here its a fact of life.

•Favoured mosquito conditions:
Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed, like dark places and dark colors. If you are wearing a black shirt, you’ll be a magnet for mosquitoes during ‘bug hour’ (dusk). After bug hour, the mozzies generally calm down a bit, but will be active. During the day, the malarial type mosquitoes tend to not be such a problem. The larger mosquitoes that are around in the day time are apparently the dengue type.

•Anti-mozzies tactics:
Spray insecticide (Baygon spray can) in dark areas and bathrooms / bedrooms.
Use electric racquet (around 30,000rp in Bintang), to target annoying mozzies in bedroom.
Fog garden with commercial chemical device. All hotels do this and many villa owners will send a guy round.
Use a mosquito net while sleeping.
Use a strong fan while sitting / sleeping.
Don’t wear black clothing.
Wear long pants / long sleeve shirt (mozzies can bite through some materials)
Light a mosquito coil (available in every supermarket /convenience store)
Drain ponds and flower pots of stagnant water.
Trim garden bushes back and remove buckets and sacks.
Use insect repellent (I don’t like this stuff as its toxic).
Take medication ( I don’t as its not a long term solution).

Here are some other tips on preventing malaria.

Maybe its just Seminyak, but to me it has always felt like the dry season, is the time of year when the mozzie population peaks. In the past I have heard a buzzing sound, looked up and seen a dozen mozzies circling my head. In the higher elevations, mozzies are less of a problem. Also in coastal areas that get strong breezes, you probably won’t have too much trouble.