Keep Bugs Away from Your Campsite

We all know how unpleasant bugs are and never are they more bothersome than when you are trying to enjoy a camping trip with the family.  Bugs ruin every outdoor event, but there are a few things a person can do keep them at bay when camping on the river after a float trip.  Not only do the tips apply when camping, but these things can also be done for other occasions when you don’t want bugs ruining your fun.

There is no one solution to keep bugs away during camping, but rather it’s a variety of different things which can be done to get your campsite bug-free.  Not only does a person want to keep the campsite free from bugs, but no bugs mean no bites either.  Bugs are an aggravating part of camping, but a person can reduce the amount of these pesky critters and go on to enjoy a night in the great outdoors.

The first thing a person needs to do is pick a dry, flat spot for pitching a tent.  You should avoid putting up a tent in wet, grassy, muddy areas because these will be rife with mosquitoes, so stay away.  Not only is the area you pick important, but you should also check for ant mounds, bee hives, and any other types of evidence that shows the area might be infested with bugs, these will be off limits.

A person going on a camping trip should never use scented products on the body, because it is an invitation for bugs to come and have a field day.  Biting bugs happen to be attracted to strongly scented perfumes and soaps, so avoid anything with a very strong smell.  It is also a good idea to wear lightly colored clothing with long sleeves to keep insects away especially in the evening hours around the camp.

For those that are camping in an RV, bugs do not really pose that much of a problem, but for those individuals that prefer roughing it in a traditional tent, insects can present a real issue.  Bugs are attracted to sweaty people and though physical activity is a part of camping, do your best to stay cool the less you sweat, the less the bugs are going to want to snack on you.  To stay cool, rinse off with clean, cool water, sit in the shade and use a fan to circulate air on your body, and enjoy an ice cold bottle of water to help cool the body naturally.

It is a good idea to buy some citronella candles and torches to use around your campsite, because it will keep mosquitoes at bay.  Citronella is an essential oil which is used to make candles, insect repellents and other products.  Because citronella is all natural and repels insects it can be used safely around animals and small children.

Another good way to keep the bugs away is by the use of netting around the tent and campsite.  A person can wear netting around their face and legs which will help prevent mosquito bites.  Netting around the tent prevents bugs from entering into the tent while a person is sleeping and protects against being bitten by ticks, mosquitoes, spiders and many other pesky bugs.

Using skin creams and insect repellentsformulated with coconut and citrus oils, eating garlic and lots of vitamin B are other natural ways of repelling bugs when you’re camping.  It does not matter whether you are camping or at home, bugs are a part of everyday life and there are things a person can do to keep them at a safe distance.  By incorporating some of the tips mentioned in this article, it is possible to have an enjoyable camping trip and eliminate bugs from the campsite as well.