Bug Off! Avoid Pesky Insects with These Essential Camping Tips

Few things ruin a delightful camping trip faster than buzzing mosquitoes keeping you up all night — but insects aren’t usually the biggest threat. Ticks, which are tiny arachnids, can carry a variety of potentially life-altering diseases, including Lyme Disease. 

You can’t call yourself a prepared camper unless you come armed with bug and insect repellents. This guide walks you through your options and takes a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

Synthetic Insect Repellents

insect repellent

While camping, it’s essential to strike a balance between personal safety and protection and a sense of responsibility to the environment.

Everyone draws that line differently.

We’re not here to judge — only to give options. Three synthetic insect repellents are highly effective. 

DEET

DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is nasty stuff — but it’s also, in our experience, the only thing that reliably prevents tick bites. That makes DEET a good option to consider for any woodland camping trip because ticks live on all continents except Antarctica. Depending on the local climate, they can be active throughout the year. As an added and very welcome bonus, DEET also keeps nearly all other bugs away. 

Any product with at least 30 percent DEET will usually work like a charm, but be careful because experts warn that you have to wash it off your skin after 24 hours. 

Picaridin

Picaridin is another chemical bug repellent that’s usually very effective. It’s a bit milder than DEET but it will still get the job done. 

Permethrin

This insect repellent is a bit different in that it’s designed to be applied to clothing and your tent. It will help you keep bugs away without applying it directly onto your skin, which is a bonus for people who often have strong reactions to chemicals. 

An Added Note

If avoiding bug bites and stings is a priority for you, but you still hope to minimize the impact you have on the environment around you, avoid aerosols and sprays and choose lotions and balms instead. This gives you the chance to keep disease-carrying bugs away from you and your tent without spreading toxic chemicals that might harm pollinators through the air.

Natural Bug Repellents 

If you would love to keep bugs at bay without turning to nasty chemicals, you have quite a few options. Needless to say, some are more effective than others, and some are more specialized in that they repel some, but not all, bugs.

Citronella Candles

Citronella candles emit a scent that mosquitoes hate, and they’re quite effective at keeping these bloodsuckers away. However, the light may attract other types of insects, including moths. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a key part of any natural approach to keeping pests away. Several work quite well:

  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is effective against mosquitoes. Some people claim it keeps ticks away, too, but that’s not always true in our experience.
  • Lavender oil doesn’t just keep mosquitoes away, but it will also help you sleep better during your camping trip.
  • Peppermint oil works against spiders, ants, and mosquitoes (to a lesser extent).
  • Tea tree oil is really quite good against mosquitoes, and it is moderately effective against ticks. This natural disinfectant also comes in handy if you get any cuts or scrapes.
  • Neem oil is a famous natural insect repellent among gardeners. It’s safe to use and can keep some bugs away.

Bundles of Sage

This trick works really quite well. If you have any sage plants growing in your garden, trim four-inch portions off them and dry them. Create bundles tied together with sewing thread or string made from natural materials, and bring them on your camping trip. Simply chuck one of these bundles into your campfire to keep mosquitoes and other irritating insects away.

Mosquito Nets

Photo by Drew Farwell on Unsplash

Installing mosquito nets in your tents is a wonderful idea, and a critical safety step in areas where mosquitoes commonly carry diseases like malaria. You can also set up mosquito nets in outdoor relaxation areas. 

Here’s how to choose a mosquito net that will actually work:

  • Choose a mosquito net with a fine mesh — with 285 holes per square inch being ideal. 
  • White mosquito nets work better than black or dark ones.
  • Make sure your mosquito net can be closed securely. Zips and magnetized closures can both work well.
  • Remember that mosquito nets treated with insecticides are on the market. These are much more effective than untreated mosquito nets, as they combine the physical barrier that the netting offers with synthetic insecticides. 
  • Make sure that the net you buy fits into your tent. For nets you plan to use outdoors, check that you’ll have a place to set them up.

Ultrasonic Bug Zappers

You may have seen ultrasonic devices that claim to keep bugs, from flies to mosquitoes, away by emitting an “unpleasant” sound inaudible to the human ear. Similar devices that aim to keep rodents away are also available.

Keep in mind that there’s very little scientific evidence to prove that these work.

While this isn’t a scientific claim, we can say that we’ve had these before, and found flies zooming around in their immediate vicinity. 

The moral of the story? If you invest in electronic bug repellents, take their efficacy with a whole pot of salt — and never rely on them as your only means to keep bugs away. 

A Final Word

If you want to maximize efficiency (important in tick-rich areas or places where mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases), DEET is by far your best bet, with other synthetic bug repellents earning second place. 

On the other hand, if repelling bugs while being a good environmental steward is your priority, a combination of all the natural bug repellents we recommended in this guide will serve you best. 

No matter what option you prefer, a mosquito net is always a valuable addition to your camping experience. However, know that not all mosquito nets are equally good, and invest in a high-quality option that’s highly effective and long-lasting.

Here Are 15 More Quick Tips How To Avoid Insects While Camping

  1. Choose your campsite wisely: Opt for areas away from standing water and dense vegetation, as these are breeding grounds for insects.
  2. Use insect repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing.
  3. Wear long sleeves and pants: Covering up with loose-fitting clothing can help prevent insect bites.
  4. Use mosquito nets: Utilize mosquito nets over sleeping areas and dining areas to create a barrier between you and insects.
  5. Keep your campsite clean: Dispose of food scraps and garbage properly to avoid attracting insects.
  6. Avoid strong scents: Perfumes, scented lotions, and heavily scented products can attract insects. Opt for unscented alternatives.
  7. Stay indoors during peak activity times: Many insects, such as mosquitoes, are most active during dawn and dusk. Minimize outdoor activities during these times.
  8. Keep doors and windows closed: Seal up tents, cabins, and other sleeping areas to prevent insects from entering.
  9. Use citronella candles or torches: Citronella has natural insect-repellent properties and can help keep bugs away from your campsite.
  10. Avoid wearing bright colors: Bright and floral patterns can attract certain insects, so opt for neutral-colored clothing.
  11. Check your gear: Before setting up camp, inspect your gear and clothing for any hidden insects or nests.
  12. Create natural barriers: Plant insect-repellent herbs like lavender, citronella grass, and basil around your campsite.
  13. Use natural repellents: Essential oils like lavender, citronella, and tea tree oil can act as natural insect repellents. Apply them to your skin or clothing.
  14. Stay dry: Insects are often attracted to moisture, so try to keep yourself and your surroundings as dry as possible.
  15. Educate yourself: Learn about the insects commonly found in the area where you’ll be camping and take appropriate precautions.

These tips should help you enjoy a bug-free camping experience!

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