Nationwide
Sandflies on a NZ trip: reduce bites without overpacking
Reduce sandfly bites with covering clothing, suitable repellent and simple campsite habits, including label checks for children.
For sandflies, combine clothing, a suitable repellent and a campsite routine that keeps insects out of the sleeping area. Read the product label, especially when choosing something for children.
Understand the repellent label
DEET and picaridin are established repellent ingredients. The concentration affects how long a product may protect you; a bigger percentage is not simply a measure of how strongly it repels at that moment. Follow the specific application and reapplication instructions.
Cover the easy targets
- Use long sleeves and trousers where practical.
- Keep tent doors and insect screens closed.
- Check that a net has mesh suitable for small biting insects.
- Apply repellent to exposed skin as directed, avoiding eyes and mouth.
For children, an adult should manage application and follow the product's age guidance. Do not spray directly onto the face; follow the label's method.
Make it easy to remember
Keep repellent somewhere accessible when you stop, rather than at the bottom of the pack. If using sunscreen too, apply sunscreen first and let it dry before repellent, following both labels. I would pack lightweight covering clothes as well as repellent for a campsite evening. Check whether the repellent can affect plastics or equipment finishes before applying it near gear. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which product suits your household.
Read next: Sun protection outdoors: UV, SPF and UPF explained.
Sources and photo credit
Information checked 29 September 2026.
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Original photograph; CC BY 2.0. Resized for web display.
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