08/05/2019 | by Lumberjack
One of the biggest problems for any camper is that of bugs.
Mosquitoes, ants, bees and other pests can bother you while you sleep, get into your food and generally be a nuisance. There are some simple and effective ways to deal with pests, and we’ll list a few of them here that we hope will help you on your next camping trip.
Use Netting
This won’t keep the pests away, but it can keep them out of sleeping areas and other places where you can practically hang netting. You want to go with mosquito netting, which is fine enough that those pests can’t make their way through.
You’ll have to hang the netting for it to be effective, but if you get enough, you can use it cover all your sleeping or common areas at the campsite.
Use Natural Repellents
There is a lot of concern these days about using natural alternatives to chemicals. There are some kinds of insect repellents that use harsh chemicals that may kill and keep away pests but will also damage your skin or your overall health.
You can burn sage or use one of any number of essential oils in your campsite to keep bugs at bay. Just pour or spray some citronella, peppermint, basil, or eucalyptus oil around our campsite to get rid of bugs. You will need to apply it fresh every day or so, as the oil can be washed away by dew or blown away as the leaves and dirt it falls onto are moved by the wind.
Use Repellent Bracelets
You don’t need to use any liquid at all to keep bugs away, if you find sprays and oils too time consuming to maintain. Try using bug repellent bracelets which emit a vapour that chases pests away.
These are specially made for dealing with mosquitoes, but they do a pretty good job of chasing away pests of all kinds. You can wear them around your wrist or ankle or just hang them nearby to keep an effective ward against bugs.
Keep it Clean
One of the best ways to keep pests away from your campsite is to keep it clean. Get rid of your garbage as often as possible by bagging up any garbage which may be around and ensure to close the bag tightly. Also clean up your dishes as soon as you are done using them. Don’t let them sit out and attract insects.
Use Tiki Torches
You have probably seen these special torches being sold in the camping section of many stores. They serve a useful purpose in that they keep pests of all kinds away.
They emit a scent that most insects hate but it isn’t so powerful that it will bother most people. Try setting up a few of these around your campsite at night to keep the pests far away.
Candles
Candles are a commonly used affordable way to reduce or eliminate bugs from your campsite. They come in a large variety of sizes & scents, most commonly Citronella, & boast high effective rates. The scent they emit can range from subtle to strong depending on its concentration.
