Key points
- Some of the most common biting and stinging insects in Australia are mosquitoes, flies, ants, bees, wasps and bed bugs.
- Most insect bites and stings in Australia are not harmful.
- If your child has been stung by a bee, try to remove the sting by scraping it off. Do not pull the sting out, as this can release more venom into the body.
- Children with anaphylaxis to insects should always carry their adrenaline autoinjector, along with their Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
- Call an ambulance (000) if your child has symptoms of insect anaphylaxis, such as trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching or stomach pain.
About insect bites and stings
Insects bite and sting for two main reasons: to eat, or to protect themselves if they feel threatened.
Many insects in Australia can bite or sting; the most common are:
- Mosquitoes
- Flies, such as march flies (horse flies) and biting midges (sandflies)
- Ants
- Bees and wasps
- Fleas and bed bugs.
Some other bugs and small animals that can bite or sting include:
- Spiders
- Leeches
- Snakes
- Sea creatures like jellyfish.
Most insect bites and stings are not dangerous. In Australia, it is rare for insects to spread diseases to people. When this does happen, it is usually in remote parts of the country or tropical areas.
All insect bites can cause allergic reactions. A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis; it is life-threatening if left untreated.
Signs and symptoms of insect bites and stings
The symptoms of insect bites and stings depend on how sensitive your child is to that insect. For example, if your child is sensitive to mosquitoes, their bites may get very swollen.
Common signs and symptoms of bites and stings include:
- Itching
- Redness
- Pain
- Swelling
- Blisters
- Hot feeling around the bite or sting site.
Some bites and stings can also cause a reaction in the digestive system. For example, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to note that stomach pain and vomiting can be a sign of insect anaphylaxis.
Your child's reaction may change or worsen two to three days after the bite or sting. Then, it should start to get better.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to insects
A severe allergic reaction is an immune system reaction that affects breathing and/or how blood moves around the body. It is a medical emergency that needs urgent treatment.
If your child is having a severe allergic reaction, they may show one or more of the following signs:
- Widespread rash, such as hives, or extreme itching
- Wheezing, coughing or choking
- Trouble breathing and swallowing
- Trouble talking and/or a hoarse voice
- Tongue and lip swelling
- Dizziness and/or collapse
- Pale skin and floppiness (infants and young children)
- Stomach pain and vomiting.
Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child has any signs of anaphylaxis after an insect bite or sting.
If your child has known insect anaphylaxis, a doctor will prescribe them an adrenaline
autoinjector (EpiPen® or Anapen®). It is very important that you and your child (if they are old enough) know how to use it. The doctor will also work with you to create a custom Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
Infected bites and stings
A sting or bite can sometimes cause an infection in the surrounding skin called cellulitis. This is due to bacteria getting into the bite or sting site. Scratching the skin at the site increases the risk of infection. If the skin around the bite or sting is becoming infected, it will feel increasingly warm, red and painful to touch. This can happen hours or days later.
Cellulitis needs treatment with antibiotics. It is best to take your child to see their doctor if you think they may have cellulitis.
How to care for insect bites and stings
You can safely treat most bites or stings at home. Here are some first aid tips and ways to make your child more comfortable as they heal.
- Wash the skin around the bite or sting with cool, running water.
- A plain, unscented moisturising cream may help reduce itching.
- You could also give them an oral antihistamine (liquid or tablet) or apply a steroid cream early and regularly to the bite or sting site. You can buy both medicines from a pharmacy.
- Put a cool, wet towel or face washer on the bite or sting site to reduce pain and swelling.
- If the bite or sting is on your child’s arm, have them rest with the limb raised above their heart to reduce the swelling.
- Try propping the limb up on some pillows.
Advice for bee or wasp stings
Bees leave their sting and venom sacs behind after stinging. Some wasps leave their sting, but it comes out when they fly away.
If your child is stung, you should try to carefully scrape the sting out. You could use a fingernail edge or something hard and flat like a credit card. Do not try to pull the sting out, as this can squeeze on the venom sack, making it release more venom into the body.
See a health professional if you need help removing the sting.
Advice for spider bites
Most spider bites in Australia are not serious, and an ice pack will help relieve the pain. However, some spider bites need special care.
Take a photo of the spider if you can, so you know what treatment your child needs, but be careful not to get bitten yourself.
Funnel web or mouse spider (not usually found in Victoria)
- Firmly bandage the bite area
- Make sure your child lies still
- Call an ambulance (000) immediately.
Red-back or white-tailed spider
- Wash the bite site with cool running water
- Wrap an icepack in a towel and apply it to the site
- See a doctor or health professional.
Preventing insect bites and stings
Outdoors
- Make sure rubbish bins are closed securely, so the contents do not attract insects.
- Avoid pools of still water, like ponds; mosquitoes often breed in and around them.
- Cover infant strollers with netting.
- Keep picnic food covered and wipe up spills immediately.
- In areas with a lot of biting insects, consider dressing your child in long-sleeved shirts and pants that fit snugly around their wrists and ankles.
Indoors
- Avoid turning on indoor lights until all windows are closed.
- Fit insect screens to all suitable windows.
- If you live in an area with a lot of insects, consider using an electric device that releases a safe insect repellent into the room at night.
- These usually plug into a power point.
Insect repellents
- Follow the product instructions and use insect repellents sparingly.
- In young children, it is best to rub or spray insect repellent onto clothes instead of skin.
- This is because children have very sensitive skin.
- Do not spray insect repellents on the skin of children under 12 months old.
- The most effective bug repellents contain DEET or picaridin. Choose repellents for your child with no more than 10% DEET or picaridin.
- Try to use repellents formulated for children.
- Reapply insect repellent to your child after swimming or activities that make them sweat.
When to get help
Call an ambulance (000) if:
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- your child is having an anaphylactic reaction (symptoms like widespread rash or extreme itching, swollen tongue and lips, wheezing, coughing or choking).
- use their adrenaline autoinjector before calling an ambulance, if they have one.
- your child is suddenly distressed, and you think they have been bitten by a red-back or white-tail spider.
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Go to a hospital if:
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- your child has been bitten or stung on the leg and can no longer walk.
- your child has been bitten or stung in the mouth, throat or near their eyes.
- your child feels dizzy or lightheaded after they have been bitten or stung.
- your child has abdominal pain and is vomiting.
- you notice redness and swelling spreading to the skin around a bite or sting.
- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) and seems to be getting sicker.
- your child is under 12 months old, is distressed and cannot be soothed, and you think they have been bitten or stung by something.
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- the site of your child’s bite or sting is very painful and does not get any better after a few hours.
- the site of the bite or sting shows signs of infection after 24 hours, such as increasing warmth, redness and pain.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- they have a bite or sting that creams and/or antihistamines help soothe.
- they are not bothered by the bite or sting – most do not need any medical attention.
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Common questions about insect bites and stings
Do you recommend using natural insect repellents?
Natural insect repellents, including ingredients such as citronella or eucalyptus, may help deter bugs, but repellents containing DEET or picaridin are likely to be more effective. Ensure you are using a product with no more than 10% DEET or picaridin for children, and do not put it directly onto the skin of infants or babies. You can put it on their clothing or bedding instead.
My child’s mosquito bites get very swollen. Is this an allergy?
When mosquitoes bite, they inject saliva into the body. This sets off an immune system response that causes the bump and itch. If your child’s mosquito bites swell and feel very sore, they may be having a stronger immune response. This reaction is more common in children. In severe cases, the bites can peel and blister and trigger a fever (temperature of 38°C or more).
What if I did not see the insect that bit my child?
Most insect bites in Australia are not harmful. If you did not see what bit your child and they are not having any serious symptoms, you can look after them at home.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed November 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.