Insect Bites in Spain: Mosquitoes, Sandflies & When to See a Doctor
Bitten by mosquitoes or sandflies in Spain? A doctor explains treatment, prevention, and when an insect bite needs medical attention. Practical guide for tourists.
Spain's warm climate means insects are part of the holiday experience. Mosquitoes, sandflies, horseflies, wasps and the occasional scorpion are all present, particularly from May to October.
Most bites are annoying but harmless. Here's what to know, when to treat at home, and when to see a doctor.
Common Insects by Region
Mosquitoes — everywhere in Spain, worst near stagnant water and at dusk/dawn. The Balearic Islands, Ebro Delta, and coastal wetlands are hotspots. Tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are present in eastern Spain — they bite during daytime and their bites are more painful.
Sandflies — common on beaches in the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and southern coastline. Active at sunset and dawn. Bites are small, red, and intensely itchy. Can occasionally transmit leishmaniasis (rare in tourists).
Horseflies (tábanos) — around pools, beaches, and rural areas. Bites are painful and can swell significantly. More common in Mallorca, Menorca, and rural Andalucía.
Wasps and hornets — common near food and drinks outdoors. The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is now present in northern Spain.
Treating Bites at Home
Clean the bite with soap and water. Apply cold (wrapped ice pack or cold compress) for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling. Apply antihistamine cream — Fenistil (dimetindene) is the standard in Spanish pharmacies and works well.
For itching: oral antihistamine (cetirizine or loratadine — available without prescription at any farmacia). Avoid scratching — this is the main cause of secondary infection.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if the area around the bite becomes hot, red, and the redness is spreading — this suggests cellulitis (bacterial infection). If you develop fever after being bitten, if you see red streaks extending from the bite site (lymphangitis), if pus is draining from the bite, or if the bite doesn't improve after 3-4 days.
Infected insect bites are one of the most common reasons tourists need medical attention in Spain. Warm weather, swimming pools, and beach sand all increase infection risk.
Call 112 if you develop signs of severe allergic reaction after a wasp or hornet sting: throat swelling, difficulty breathing, widespread hives, or dizziness.
Prevention
Use DEET-based repellent (available at Spanish pharmacies and supermarkets). Keep windows closed at dusk or use mosquito nets. Wear light-coloured clothing in the evenings. Check your accommodation for standing water (plant pots, gutters). Use electric plug-in repellent devices in your room.
If You Need a Doctor
For infected bites or allergic reactions that need medical attention, OnCall Clinic sends a licensed doctor to your accommodation across Spain. The doctor can prescribe antibiotics for infected bites or antihistamines for allergic reactions on the spot.