Mosquitoes, ticks and the like: how to protect yourself from insect bites on the golf course

Just imagine: A beautiful summer's day, a well-kept golf course and you're ready for a relaxing round. But suddenly the idyll is spoiled by pesky insects. Mosquitoes, horseflies or even ticks can not only be annoying, but also pose health risks. Effective insect protection is essential to ensure that your golf day doesn't turn into a gauntlet.

Why are insects important on the golf course?

As annoying as they may be, their importance should not be forgotten: Insects play a crucial role in our ecosystem. They pollinate plants, serve as food for other animals and are involved in the decomposition of organic matter. A completely insect-free golf course would be neither desirable nor realistic. On the contrary: without insects, there would be no golf courses at all. "Knocking down" everything that flies around your ears is therefore not a solution.

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Why are insects dangerous and what attracts them?

Some insects, such as mosquitoes, horseflies or wasps, can cause painful bites. Ticks can even transmit diseases such as Lyme disease or TBE. Mosquitoes are also carriers of serious diseases, especially in more southern climes. Due to climate change, species such as the tiger mosquito (Zika or dengue virus) are also becoming increasingly common in Germany, making protection against them a necessity. The Robert Koch Institute also expects West Nile fever, which is now also transmitted by domestic mosquitoes, to spread in the coming years.

Mosquitoes are particularly attracted to the following factors:

• Smell of sweat: frequent showers and changing your socks daily can help to reduce body odor. Shoes should also be aired out regularly and treated with a shoe deodorant if necessary.
• Dark clothing: Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes.
• Stagnant water: This is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Body heat: Mosquitoes seek the warmth of people, especially in the evening when it gets cooler.

How do I protect myself from insects on the golf course?

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There are various ways to protect yourself from insect bites on the golf course. In most cases, it will make sense to look for a combination of several "defense tactics". Here are some ways to protect yourself from insects.

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1. Repellents:

• DEET and Icaridin: These chemical agents are highly effective against mosquitoes and other insects. Pay attention to the concentration and method of application. DEET (Zika or dengue virus) can attack plastics, whereas Icaridin is gentler on materials. Apply a thin layer of repellent to all exposed areas of the body, especially the ankles and neck. Repeat the application every 2-4 hours, or more often if you sweat heavily. However, pay attention to the dosage of the active ingredient. The more of it there is in your product, the less often you need to apply it. 60 percent DEET products also work significantly longer than two to four hours.
• If you also use sun cream, apply this first and allow it to soak in briefly before applying the insect repellent. Otherwise the insect repellent smell of DEED or Icaridin will be lost. Both substances are effective against a variety of insects and especially against mosquitoes and ticks, which cause less painful bites but can transmit dangerous diseases depending on the region.
• Essential oils: Some natural oils such as lemon eucalyptus or lavender can have a certain deterrent effect, but are often less effective than chemical repellents. Woven into clothing, however, they can also provide good protection.
• Ecological concerns with both products. Icaridin causes serious damage to organisms in water even in the smallest quantities.

2. Clothing:

• Light-colored, sting-resistant clothing: Long, light-colored trousers and shirts made of dense fabric can help prevent stings.
• Special materials: Tightly woven special fabrics offer good protection, but are less suitable in hot weather.
• Impregnated clothing: Special outdoor clothing can be treated with insect repellents, e.g. with permethrin (Bug Barrier) or eucalyptus citriodora oil (NosiLife from Craghoppers).
• Correct material: Make sure that your clothing not only covers your skin, but is also made of a material that insects cannot easily bite through.

3. Behavior:

• Avoid standing water: Stay away from ponds or pools. Of course, this is not so easy in golf.
• ‍Body hygiene: Shower regularly and change your clothes to minimize your body odor.

• Use the wind: A light wind can make it difficult for mosquitoes to fly.
• Pay attention to the time of day: Mosquitoes are often more active in the early evening hours.

Additional tips for the golf course

• Insect spray in your golf bag: This way you can spray yourself again if necessary.
• Attentive behavior: Observe where there are particularly large numbers of insects and avoid these areas.
• Tick check: After a round of golf, you should check your body for ticks.

Conclusion: With the right protective measures, you can enjoy a carefree day of golf. Make sure you use a combination of repellents, suitable clothing and prudent behavior. That way, nothing stands in the way of a relaxed game!