Camping is one of the most fun activities for families, especially during spring, summer, and fall. No matter how advanced our technology is today, people still love to get out and enjoy the great outdoors once in a while. In fact, it is a perfect way to escape and unwind after a busy and stressful week at work. Camping is also a great activity for families to reconnect with each other, and as well as give everyone a chance to unplug. No matter what your reason is to go camping, it is a very affordable activity that is fun and will give you the chance to appreciate the beauty of nature while making memories with your family and friends.
However, one of the dilemmas of camping is that you are not alone in nature. It’s because sleeping outdoors under the stars also means sleeping with a few more unwelcome bedmates, which are bugs. When you go camping, you might encounter different kinds of bugs, and some of them might be harmful. These include ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, bees, ants, chiggers, and more.
But no worries because there are effective things that you can do to avoid them. If you are going camping with your family or friends soon, then here are some of the best tips we can give on how to keep bugs away during camping.
Wear Proper Clothing
When you go camping, you need to follow one rule to be able to avoid insect bites, and that is to cover exposed skin whenever and wherever possible. When camping, try to wear long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothes that will help cover exposed skin that insects and bugs can bite. If you will go on a hike to reach your campsite, make sure that you stay in the middle of the marked paths and check your clothes for ticks regularly.
Light-colored clothes are more advisable to wear because insects like mosquitoes are more attracted to dark clothing. If you are worried about the heat when you wear pants and long sleeves, then you can opt for lightweight and loose-fitting shirts and pants. You can also find clothes that are made with insect repellent fabric.
Bring a Bug Zapper
Bringing a bug zapper is also a great idea when you go camping. It can help you eliminate bugs and insects that will go near your campsite, leaving your space bug-free for more comfort. One of the best bug zappers we can recommend is the COKIT Bug Zapper Camping Lantern. It is a combination of a camping light, a LED flashlight, and a bug zapper that will keep you comfortable on your outdoor adventure. It can last for 15 hours and is also weather-proof and submersible in water. This means that even if it’s exposed to rain and cold weather, it can still illuminate your tent at night and zap bugs.
Use Traditional Bug Sprays and Creams
One of the most useful tips on how to keep bugs away when camping is using traditional bug sprays and creams. These sprays and creams usually contain DEET that can keep bugs away more effectively. However, some people do not like to use DEET-based sprays and creams for many reasons, such as the smell, skin irritation, and other whys and wherefores. But despite these reasons, repellents with DEET work.
Therefore, even if you use it as a last line of defense, it’s a great idea to bring some traditional bug sprays and creams with you when you go camping. It’s also better if your bug spray and cream is waterproof. You can also apply it to your clothes, shoes, and hat if you do not want to apply it to your skin.
Bring Foods That Bugs Hate
Yes, there are foods that mosquitoes and other insects hate because of their smell. This includes garlic, onions, and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Therefore, it’s a good idea to bring these foods when you go camping to keep bugs away. You can rub your skin with onions, garlic, and citrus peels so the bugs won’t come near you. Though it may leave you smelling like salad, it is a simple and natural bug repellent, especially if you do not want to use those which are made with chemicals. Aside from this, you can also include garlic and onion in your cooking while you are in the great outdoors. The smell will fill the air and make the bugs go away.
Avoid Placing Your Tent Near Ideal Insect Habitats
When choosing a location to put up your tent, avoid places near standing water and tall grass, because those are breeding grounds for different types of insects. Therefore, when you are going to pitch your tent, look for a campsite that is high and dry. This way, you will be safe from harmful bugs and insects when you sleep at night.
Keep Your Tents Secure
Another way to keep bugs away during camping is by keeping your tents secure at all times. It’s because some smaller bugs can crawl inside your tent. Therefore, when you camp, avoid leaving food inside your tent. When you are not inside, turn off the lights and zip up the tent flaps as soon as you exit or enter. This way, you’ll be able to prevent insects and bugs from getting inside your tent.
Store Your Foods Properly
The foods that you bring to your campsite can attract bugs and insects. Therefore, make sure that all your foods are placed in properly sealed containers or in a cooler to keep the bugs and insects away.
These are some of the best tips we can give on how you can keep bugs away during camping. All of these are very simple tips, but are effective and can surely make your camping trip more fun. We hope these tips will be able to help you achieve a bug-free camping trip with your friends and family.