Insect bites and stings are no longer just a holiday nuisance - they’re becoming an increasing concern closer to home. According to chemist and natural health exper t Dr Tim Bond climate change is seeing a switch in the creatures that can be encountered in the UK.

Dr Bond, from Puressentiel - a range of proven, plant-based products for everyday wellness needs available in Holland & Barrett, changing weather patterns are driving a rise in insect activity. He said: "In the past, bites and stings were something people mainly worried about when travelling abroad.

"While diseases such as Zika, malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever are present globally; bites from mosquitoes, midges, ticks and spiders have become a growing threat in the UK. It’s largely due to climate change.

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"Milder winters, warmer summers and more rainfall are creating ideal conditions for insects. Some species are appearing earlier in spring and lingering into autumn."

The expert said action has been launched to check on the situation. He explained: "Public Health England has introduced a national TICK Surveillance Scheme (TSS) to monitor tick distribution and seasonality on a nationwide scale, as ticks carry bacteria linked to Lyme disease, which can cause flu-like symptoms and more serious complications.”

Dr Bond has now shared his six tips to prevent bites and stings.

The expert said: "Swap traditional DEET-based sprays for proven plant-based solutions. Studies show Java citronella oil helps repel mosquitoeswhile Eucalyptus citriodora has been found to work against Anopheles gambiae, the mosquito species that spreads malaria.

"These ingredients are combined with other essential oils in Puressentiel’s Bite & Sting Repellent & Soothing Spray, offering eight hours of protection against insects such as mosquitos and other biting insects, plus protection against sandflies and ticks.

“Natural is best as it avoids that strong, often unpleasant odour that can come from DEET-based repellents. Plus, synthetic products can be neurotoxic and irritating at high doses, whereas at low doses, however, they often offer very short effectiveness."

Dr Bond said: "The clothes you wear can play a part in your chances of being bitten or stung. Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing is your best defence in warmer weather."

He suggests you should go for breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Opt for pale colours too as these are less attractive to insects than dark shades.

"Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk," says the doctor. "So if you’re exercising, consider working out indoors during these times and saving outdoor exercise for late morning or the afternoon."

Open windows can let insects in - especially during warmer months. Dr Bond advised: "Installing fly screens, using natural room sprays or diffusers, and dimming lights in the evening can all help reduce unwanted visitors.

"If you do get bitten, plant-based ingredients can help calm irritation and soothe itching and Puressentiel Bite & Sting Multi-Soothing Cream ticks all the boxes here – made with a 99.8% natural formula to help reduce inflammatory allergic reactions by 35%. It contains eight organic essential oils, including Tea Tree, Clove, Geranium, Lavandin grosso, True Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Niaouli."

The expert said: "Spritzing yourself with perfume might be a daily ritual, but it could attract insects. In fact, they love strong perfumes, fragranced body lotions and even some scented shampoos.”