UK travellers urged to take precautions as insect incidences surge

Google searches surrounding bites and stings skyrocketed by +1038% in the past month

Cases of insect bites and stings surge at this time of year. What starts as a small itch can quickly turn into a holiday spoiler, and can even mean a trip to the doctor and unexpected costs.

In the past three months, Google searches in the UK related to bites and stings have skyrocketed. The top searches include ‘mosquito bite allergy’, which has seen more than 172,000 searches in the past month (+365%), followed by ‘bee sting’ (+292%) and ‘tick bite’ (+190%). 

While certainly painful, generally stings from wasps or bees are harmless unless you’re allergic. The bigger concern comes from mosquito and tick bites - especially when on holiday overseas, where the risk of diseases or viruses can be heightened.

Google searches related to bites and stings

^{*Based on Q2 2025 searches}

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

Your insurance could be invalidated if you travel unvaccinated

I always advocate for having the appropriate travel vaccines to protect against diseases such as Yellow Fever, TBE or Dengue before heading overseas.

If you decide against a travel vaccine and become unwell following a bite, your claim could be rejected; however, it’s not automatic that your insurance wouldn’t cover you. Vaccination policies vary between insurance providers, with some insurers not having any vaccination requirements. 

Others may have it written into policy terms that you must receive essential vaccinations to qualify for cover, particularly if you are travelling to a high-risk area, so it is always sensible to check your policy terms before you buy your travel insurance policy.

Expert tips on avoiding a travel headache this summer 

For those jetting off this summer, here are our top tips for navigating a trip without the worry of bites or stings ruining the fun.

Securing the right travel insurance cover

When you’re choosing travel insurance check that the cover meets your needs. If it doesn’t, you could face unexpected costs if something goes wrong. It’s important to understand what your policy covers and make sure it’s the right fit for your needs and your trip.

Checking local vaccination rules

Some countries require proof of vaccinations before you can enter, so having the appropriate knowledge before you travel means you can make informed decisions. To save the headache and costs of being turned away at immigration, you can visit the NHS vaccinations website to find out each country's vaccination rules.

First aid supplies

To help prevent more harmless bites, such as a bee or wasp sting from turning into a medical emergency, pack a small first aid kit that includes antiseptic wipes and an over-the-counter bite treatment.