When you are planning to camp, you have to consider so many things. But, you have to take care of yourself too. You should not underestimate your sleep or relaxing time because it will affect your spirit on camping. Every camper prefers to spend their nights without any bothersome situations. Most people have an idea that they can camp without any issues. However, you will inevitably encounter some issues created by the environment. Most specifically, the bug problems. So, how do you keep bugs away while camping?
- Consider the place you choose
- Use screen rooms or nets
- Wear long protective clothes
- Use traditional bug sprays or creams
- Invest in a bug repellent bracelet
- Keep your campsite clean
- Consider natural bug repellents
- Avoid too much light
- Start a campfire
- Avoid using scented hygiene products
- Use electronic bug repellers
These are the most effective ways to keep bugs away while camping. The above factors help you during camping if you follow them accordingly. These ways are easy to follow and you do not need to be tired.
Consider the place you choose
The environment of the place you choose should be taken into your account because it matters more to take precautions against bugs. National parks are the best destinations for camping. As it is a versatile type of place so many visitors visit there to spend their holiday.
If you are camping in a wet area you have to take more gear to be away from bugs’ torture. Olympic National Park, Acadia National Park, Great Smoky National Park, etc. are some examples of the wettest environment in the United States. As these wet environments consist of water, a high range of mosquitoes can be seen.
So, it will be better if you camp in a high and dry environment. Due to the dry and hot weather, you will not be annoyed by mosquitoes during your camping journey.
Though the place you choose is dry or wet, it does not matter. But, try to camp at the best time because you can enjoy yourselves. Though it is a wet environment, if you go camping at the best time, you can rest assured. So, what is the best time to visit the national parks in the United States?
Use screen rooms or nets
If you desperately need to be free from bugs, you can bring over a screen room or a net to cover the whole tent. Screen rooms are primarily large tents with screened-in walls. This will help you to keep mosquitoes away from buggy campsites. Moreover, it also helps you to watch the surroundings without any worry. You also can feel the gentle breeze through it. However, it is super effective at keeping bugs outside the tent.
You can also use a mosquito net around your tent. But, do not forget to seal all entrances to the tent because mosquitoes can fly through the gap between the zippers in the door of the tent. Once the bugs get in, it will be harder to keep them out. So, it is better to zip your tent tight.
Wear long protective clothes
Mostly, everyone faces mosquito-related issues when they are camping. So, as a tip to keep bugs away while camping, you can wear long sleeves and pants. You should wear these long protective clothes, especially in the morning and evening. These are the most beneficial periods for mosquitoes. But wearing long clothes during hot weather conditions becomes unbearable. Also, there is a high percentage of mosquitoes biting though you are wearing long clothes. They can bite through these clothes easily.
So, as a solution for this issue; insect-repellent clothing is available in the market. These clothing are infused with insect repellent in the fabric. So, you do not need to apply chemical spray or creams on your skin. But, remember to use bug spray or oils on your exposed skin.
Try to avoid wearing dark clothing, especially blue. It is said that mosquitoes are attracted to blue more than others. Khaki or green clothing is suitable for wearing.
Use traditional bug sprays or creams
This is the most common method that is used to keep bugs away while camping. This is easy and effective. There are so many natural repellents that can keep bugs away from you. But, it will be better to bring along bug sprays and creams as a backup.
DEET is one of the most effective ingredients found in bug sprays. There is some misinformation in regards to DEET. But most scientists have clarified that DEET can be used safely. It can be used on anyone over the age of three. But some of the products available in the market are not suitable for children. So, it is a must to do proper research before using a bug spray.
Normally, a bug spray can help to keep mosquitos, ticks, and other biting animals away. You can use bug spray on your tent, around the site, or by spraying them into your clothes and skin. However, it is better to look for a waterproof formula when purchasing a bug spray.
Invest in a bug repellent bracelet
Using a bug repellent bracelet is easy and safe to keep bugs away while camping. If you do not like to spray or apply anything to your body or clothing, you can use a bug repellent bracelet. You can wear these bracelets on your wrist. It releases bug-repelling chemicals into the air around you by creating a shield. You do not need to reapply when you use a bug-repellent bracelet. This method is safe for kids because they do not need to use DEET sprays.
If you do not want to wear the bracelet always, you can hang it around the campsite or leave it out. The bracelet benefits both you and the campsite. As there are so many bug repellent bracelets on the market, try to find the most effective ones. Some of the wrist bracelets do not work at all. So, try to choose bracelets that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Keep your campsite clean
This is the most important factor that you must consider if you wish to keep bugs away while camping. Keeping your campsite clean is also a safety tip. Leaving your campsite without cleaning is a great chance for bugs and wild animals to come over. As many bugs are attracted to food, it is better to keep your campsite clean.
So, as the first step, you have to know how to dispose of rubbish correctly and quickly. This is one of the biggest attractions to any campsite. So, as soon as possible, try to dispose of rubbish to avoid the bugs.
Also, you have to seal your food properly. You can invest in bear boxes or coolers to prevent bug attractions to your tent. Remember to wipe down your campsite table as soon as you arrive and after having your meal. Wash your dishes right after having your meals because bugs really prefer to have leftovers. By following these steps you can keep your campsite clean and tidy.
Consider natural bug repellents
Before using man-made bug repellents, many natural bug repellents have been used since ancient times. These natural ways are worth trying during your camping. Natural repellents do not harm your health, so it is safe to use.
You can make homemade essential oil repellents by adding natural herbs to them. There is no harm if you apply these oils directly to the skin. When making your essential oil bug spray, use 10 to 20 drops of any of the following.
- Thyme
- Eucalyptus
- Cedarwood
- Sage
- Catnip
- Geranium
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Cajeput
- Lavender
- Mint
- Basil
- Citronella
- Clove
You can mix these in a spray bottle along with a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, half a cup of natural witch hazel, and half a cup of water. Always remember to shake the bottle before use.
Vinegar is another natural bug repellent that can be used during camping. You can use both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar as natural repellents. You can spray it to your skin, around the tent, and around the campsite to distract the bugs.
You can also use garlic as a natural bug repellent. Mint is another natural repellent that can be used. You can use any member of the mint family as a natural bug repellent. Bugs can not stand against the odor of mint. You can keep a few mint plants around your campsite to avoid the bugs. Using mint toothpaste or mouthwash is another way to avoid bugs.
When speaking of natural repellents, another way to keep bugs away while camping is to use onions. This way is certainly effective due to its strong smell. You can eat lots of onions, or you can apply the juice of the onions to your exposed skin.
Moreover, placing the plants and herbs like sage, mint, eucalyptus, and rosemary in your campfire and allowing the smoke to spread over your campsite is another way to keep bugs away while camping.
Avoid too much light
As many insects are attracted to light, you have to avoid too much light or change the type of light that you use. Using lights at night is quite a difficult situation because some bugs are repelled by the lights, while some are attracted to the lights. Mosquitoes are usually drawn to lights. So, they can easily find you when they get to the light.
So, to avoid these situations you can use electric lights as little as possible. Always try to minimize the levels of the lights and use only a lantern when you are supposed to go anywhere inside the campsite.
Start a campfire
Setting a campfire while camping is an interesting activity. Also, it keeps you safe from unwanted guests like bugs. This is an excellent way to keep bugs away while camping. The smoke of the campfire can repel insects like mosquitoes, flies, and other kinds of bugs. You can also add effective herbs such as sage, rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint to the campfire. As the fire burns, the smoke of these herbs will drive away the bugs.
Avoid using scented hygiene products
Using hygiene products and toiletries will help you to keep your body fragrant. But, in another way, it paves the way to draw some unwanted guests. Bugs like the fragrances of some hygiene products.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Aftershave
- Haircare products
- Colognes
- Body Sprays
So, you have to avoid all of these things when you are camping. If you feel uncomfortable without these things, you can consider using unscented or natural products.
Use electronic bug repellents
If you still fail to keep bugs away while camping, you can use electronic bug repellents. Some devices are invented with high-frequency sounds that bother bugs. As the sound makes them bothersome, they will avoid coming to the area protected by the device. These sounds are not bothersome for people because they are silent to human ears.
What are the other ways to keep bugs away while camping?
There are several ways to keep bugs away apart from the above ways.
- Using bug-repellent diffusers and coils
- Being hydrated during camping to keep the normal temperature of the body
- Using of coffee grounds to kill mosquito larvae
- Lighting lanterns and candles
- Use permethrin
- Wear a mosquito head net
- Keep your food sealed
- Always keep the door closed
This whole article is about how to keep bugs away while camping. Some options will not make you satisfied but all are worth trying and effective.
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