What can you get bitten by in Greece?

In Skopelos, like in all Mediterranean places exist ants, spiders, mosquitoes, midges, beetles, horseflies, hornets, sand-flies, gnats, ticks, bees and –the biggest nuisance– wasps, all of them serving useful ecological function.



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Yes, there are mosquitoes in Greece. The most common species are Culex pipiens, Anopheles Sacharovi, and Anopheles Maculipennis, all of which can carry the West Nile virus and other diseases.

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Representatives of five genera (Leptotrombidium, Neotrombicula, Brunehaldia, Hirsutiella, Schoutedenichia) and 10 species of chiggers were discovered in the material, based on morphological and/or molecular data. Brunehaldia, new to the fauna of Greece, was recorded for the first time from the edible dormouse.

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Disease risk The three diseases highlighted by the Greek Health Ministry as posing a particularly prominent risk were dengue fever and the Zika and Chikungunya viruses. Dengue fever is principally spread by mosquitoes.

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Insect repellents are an essential bit of kit in most people's holiday luggage. In Skopelos, like in all Mediterranean places exist ants, spiders, mosquitoes, midges, beetles, horseflies, hornets, sand-flies, gnats, ticks, bees and –the biggest nuisance– wasps, all of them serving useful ecological function.

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Flea bites leave an itchy welt on the skin, often on the ankles and legs. Mosquitoes leave a raised, itchy pink skin bump or, in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction. Spider bites cause minor symptoms like red skin, swelling, and pain at the site, or very serious symptoms that need emergency care.

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There is no risk in tourist areas. Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

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Its first record in Greece was those in Corfu and Thesprotia by Samanidou-Voyadjoglou et al. (2005) between 2003-2004. Since then the Asian tiger mosquito has been also found in other parts of the country, such as Central Macedonia, the Peloponnese and Attica (Giatropoulos et al. 2012a; Giatropoulos et al.

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Furthermore, if bitten by an infected mosquito, the chance of a person developing the illness is roughly one in 300. Therefore, the chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito and developing disease symptoms from that bite is very small. This does not mean, however, that people should be complacent.

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In Greece there are some mosquito species that can transmit certain diseases, if infected: West Nile virus, which is transmitted through the “house” common mosquitoes, is considered established in our country, and cases are recorded almost annually during the transmission season.

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Intense itching and many small, red bumps, like pimples, are seen. Burrows may also be seen. These look like thin, wavy lines.

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Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Greece, so your behaviors are important.
  1. Eat and drink safely. ...
  2. Prevent bug bites. ...
  3. Stay safe outdoors. ...
  4. Keep away from animals. ...
  5. Reduce your exposure to germs. ...
  6. Avoid sharing body fluids. ...
  7. Know how to get medical care while traveling. ...
  8. Select safe transportation.


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Serious mosquito-borne illness is rare in Greece, but take some insect repellant for your comfort. There are scorpions throughout Greece, including Athens. The greatest danger is from accidentally turning over a rock and stepping on one, but they also come inside buildings.

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Since the beginning of the 2023 transmission season and as of 11 October 2023, EU/EEA countries have reported 632 human cases of WNV infection in Italy (307, of which 1 with unknown place of infection), Greece (157, of which 1 with unknown place of infection), Romania (81), France (33), Hungary (29), Spain (14), ...

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Since 2010, the West Nile virus (WNV) has been established in Greece.

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Symptoms of an infected insect bite may include:
  • pus in or around the bite.
  • swollen glands.
  • increased pain, swelling and redness in and around the bite.


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