8 Camping Pests To Watch Out For
From eating your food to drinking your blood, here's how to prevent camping pests from dampening your outdoor adventures.
Marengwen yo
No matter where you live, mosquitos are common outdoor companions. “Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying insects, and they’re especially bad when you’re camping,” says Nicholas Kilby of Think Wild.
Start by choosing your campsite wisely. Avoid areas with standing or stagnant water like ponds, puddles and marshes. Also, seek places prone to breezes, which can prevent mosquitoes from swarming.
To further keep them at bay, you’ll likely need a combination of the following:
- Clothing: Wear loose clothing to cover up exposed skin. A recent study also suggests clothing color can make a difference. Green, purple, blue and white seem to deter mosquitoes, while red, orange, black and cyan attract them. Other studies have shown that stinky items like unwashed socks attract them as well.
- Chemical repellents: DEET and permethrin are usually effective but can cause allergic reactions and harm the environment, so try to use them in moderation. “DEET can corrode valuable camping equipment and prolonged exposure to high concentrations of permethrin has been linked to different types of cancer,” says Kilby.
- Natural repellents: Scents like citronella and eucalyptus can help keep mosquitoes away without harsh chemicals. “However, these methods don’t usually work when the mosquitoes are really bad,” says Kilby.
- Bug-repellant clothes: Some clothing lines are made from or treated with insect repellants. “Exofficio is one of my favorite bug-repellent clothing brands,” Kilby says, “and Sawyer makes great bug repellant for your skin and clothing that will not damage your gear.”
- Smoke: Smoke from a small fire can bring some relief. But never leave a fire untended, and extinguish it properly to prevent wildfires.
Once you’re bitten, resist the urge to scratch. Scratching increases your histamine response, which makes the bite itch more. And once the skin is broken, you risk infection. An anti-itch cream can help.
October 24, 2024
Karuna Eberl
Yon ekriven endependan ak pwodiktè fim endepandan, Karuna Eberl kouvri deyò yo ak bò lanati nan brikoleur, eksplore bèt sovaj, k ap viv vèt, vwayaje ak jadinaj pou Fanmi Handyman. Li ekri tou onz pousan FH pousan kolòn, sou fanm dinamik nan mendèv konstriksyon an. Kèk nan lòt kredi li yo enkli kouvèti mas la nan Lektè Dijestif, Pak Nasyonal, Nasyonal Chèn jewografik ak Atlas Obscura. Karuna ak mari li yo tou nan dènye detire renovasyon yon kay ki te abandone nan yon vil tou pwe fantom nan Kolorado. Lè yo pa ap travay, ou ka jwenn yo monte ak vwayaje do yo, kan nan pwòp tèt ou-konvèti van.
Eksplore Plis kontni
Medya Mansyone
Whether for gardening, mowing or warm evenings outside, we found Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent to be an excellent choice in every setting.
Medya Mansyone
The efficacy of DEET without harsh chemicals. Sawyer Picardin Insect Repellent is our go-to skin protection against mosquitos and ticks. We prefer the lotion to the spray-on, which lasts 8-14 hours.
Medya Mansyone
We recommend this lotion from Sawyer for its effectiveness, thorough application, and easily transportable bottle.
Soti nan eskwadwon an
Konvèsasyon Kanfi ak kominote nou an, ki soti nan Manm Eskwadwon ak Anbasadè yo nan Brand Patnè ak ekip la Sawyer.
