Sandflies and mosquitoes in New Zealand: how to avoid the bites

New Zealand has no snakes and nothing much that wants to hurt you — but we do have sandflies, and on the West Coast and in Fiordland they have a fearsome reputation. The good news is that they are an inconvenience rather than a health risk, and a few habits keep them off you entirely.

Where and when you will meet them

• Sandflies: heaviest on the South Island's West Coast, around Fiordland and Milford Sound, and along river flats and sandy banks. Present all year, keenest when it is overcast, shaded or about to rain.
• Mosquitoes: more of a North Island and summer problem, and they breed in still water, so campsites near ponds and swampy ground are the worst.
• Both are busiest at dawn and dusk, and both dislike wind and heavy rain.

What actually works

• Repellent on every bit of exposed skin — ankles, feet, wrists and between the fingers are the spots people forget.
• Long sleeves and long trousers in light colours; dark clothing attracts sandflies.
• Keep moving. Standing still at a lookout is when you get bitten.
• If you are sitting outdoors in the evening, a citronella candle near your feet helps.
• Shut the windows of your room or van from sunset until dark; sandflies stop flying once the light goes.

If you get bitten

Try very hard not to scratch — that is what turns a small itch into a week of misery or an infection. A cold pack, an antihistamine or a soothing gel settles most bites within a day or two. If a bite becomes hot, spreading or unusually painful, see a pharmacist or doctor.

One quiet advantage of touring by vehicle: at the worst spots you step out for photographs and step straight back in, rather than waiting around at a roadside stop.