Let’s talk about bugs. That’s correct, I’m going to explain exactly how to avoid bugs while camping. Not only because they are a pain in the neck (literally), but some of them can cause some extreme pain if you get bitten by a dangerous one, or even life threatening too.
All of this is more the reason to avoid these nasty creatures in the first place, so you don’t end up with a short trip and a visit to the hospital fighting for your life.
Bug Repellent
Your first line of defense against these disastrous creatures is bug repellent/spray. You can’t expect to go out into the wilderness and NOT get bitten if you don’t even bother using some good ol’ fashioned bug repellent.
However, not all insect repellent work the same. If you want to get the best protection possible, make sure you get one that contains DEET.
Note: If you’re not keen on spraying DEET directly onto your skin, due to the strong chemicals, simply put some on your clothing instead (hats, clothes, and even shelter).
Keep Water Our Of Sight
Water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs/creatures. Before you go to bed you should always ensure all bowls, utensils, pots and all other gear are stored in plastic containers.
This will stop morning dew and condensation from forming on all your equipment, eliminating any reason for bugs to turn up in the first place.
To take this step even further, secure the containers to something so nighttime critters can’t get into them and make a mess.
You should NEVER leave your food out in the open at night either, unless you want bears and other critters to come searching for them of course.
Stay Out Of Wet Areas
Furthermore, stay well away from wet, grassy areas, especially shrubs and long grass.
Believe it or not, but bugs are literally sitting on these types of vegetation and waiting people to come along just so they can attach to them and start feeding off of them.
Clothing
That takes me to my next prevention tip. What you have on your back and how you present your clothing is equally important as everything else I’ve mentioned.
- Loose Clothing – This works wonders because it makes it harder for mosquitoes and other bugs to make their way to your skin. Make sure they are long for an even easier way to combat against bugs
- Long Socks – Remember, bugs have to find your skin before they can start feeding off of you. Long socks is another great way to stop them from latching onto you, in the event that you do walk through long grass
- Long Pants and High-Top Shoes – You could also wear long pants instead of shorts for even more prevention. Tuck your pants into your socks to stop bugs from finding your skin
- Bright And Dark Clothing (AVOID) – If you want to avoid getting bitten by wasps or bees, do not wear clothing that have floral prints or bright colors. Avoid dark clothing altogether as well, as other bugs and insects are attracted to them. Instead, wear light clothing and keep them loose!
- Footwear – You should always wear footwear that protect your entire foot. Even though this is like bug avoidance 101, it is still easy to forget 😛
It is most likely a hot summer day, but these steps are necessary if you want to get the best protection possible. These tips work tremendously well if you wish to hike/explore through long, grassy areas (the official breeding ground for most bugs).
Don’t Sit On The Grass
This is an obvious prevention tip, yet many individuals still find themselves getting bitten due to performing this simple mistake.
Grass is a huge breeding ground for bugs and insects, so stop sitting on the grass and sit on a bench or chair. Since a lot of bugs can’t fly, they have to come in direct contact with you before they can bite you.
Scented Fragrances
Avoid wearing scented fragrances too. A lot of bees and other bugs are attracted to the smell. So if you’re wearing these types of products, you are attracting bugs rather than repelling them.
- Perfumes
- Deodorants
- Colognes
- Shampoos
- Shaving creams
The list goes on. If you want to keep the bugs away, choose products that are unscented for the best results.
Coconut Soap
Coconut is a natural bug repellent. Wash yourself with coconut soap for an extremely simple but very effective bug repellent.
Not only will bugs want to stay away from you, but your skin is going to be incredibly soft 🙂
Choose Somewhere Dry
A super-simple way to stop the bugs from getting you is by pitching your tent and setting up your campsite in dry areas.
So take the time to see where puddles have formed or where stagnant water and wet grass areas are located. Then pitch your tent far, far away.
A rule of thumb – You can keep the bugs at bay just by pitching your tent and setting up your camp in dry areas, so look wisely!
Garlic!
Garlic is a well-known bug repellent, mostly keeping mosquitoes at bay. Even though it hasn’t been proven, a lot of campers (myself included) can swear that this method works like a charm.
Add some to your dinner for a quick and easy solution. Though it isn’t the best method, I find that it still does a great job.
Keep Everything Clean
Because bugs absolutely love dirty/smelly things such as old food and trash, you need to wash and dry your dishes after you use them, clean up spills and rubbish right away and also dispose your trash and food trimmings thoroughly and frequently throughout the day.
Keep your campsite spick and span and you’ll have a much easier camping experience with the least amount of bugs as possible annoying you and biting at every chance they get.
Keep The Campfire Roaring
If you have plenty of firewood and someone who can tend to the campfire all day, then you’re going to enjoy this simple tip.
Mosquitoes and other insects hate fire. Keep it roaring throughout the day and they will most likely stay away from your campsite for the entire duration.
Conclusion
If you want to keep the bugs out of your campsite or avoid them as much as possible, the tips I have outlined inside this article are all you need to make it happen.
Even though there are a lot of other ways that work, they still aren’t as effective as the ones mentioned above. These are the methods that have worked extremely well for me over the years, which is why I am recommending them for you to try out as well.
Enjoyed this article or have any other tips you want to share? Let us know in the comment section!
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Hello, some good tips here. I always thought the color of your clothing was always a myth, I surely don’t want to try to debunk it so I’ll take the advice. know you said wear light and loose clothing but what examples of colors do you suggest wearing to avoid these insects?
Light clothing would mean colors such as white, grey, pale yellow, pale green, etc – just avoid black and extremely bright colors such as: bright green, yellow, orange, blue. As long as it doesn’t stand out a LOT, you’ll be more protected than if you didn’t follow these steps at all.
Thanks for stopping by,
Brandon