Bug Spray
When you are enjoying the outdoors, breathing in the crisp, fresh air, there is almost nothing that can ruin that moment… except for the dreaded mosquitos. Just when you think that you can sit back and relax, you hear that buzz of a mosquito or any other insect that flies along to take that moment away from you. There are a number of ways to deal with unwanted guests when you are camping or hiking. And when you are ready to get some sleep, particularly when it is time to turn in after a long day, the last thing you want is to wake up in the middle of the night or even the next morning only to find that you have been attacked while you were sleeping.
There are options to prevent such scenarios each with pros and cons. So let’s take a look at the advantages that each method of bug protection has to offer.
Choosing a Camp Site
The first way to protect yourself from unwanted guests is to pick a spot that will, in and of itself discourage insects from coming near your camp site. Insects, particularly mosquitoes generally gravitate towards bodies of standing water including puddles, lakes, and the like. So look for a camping spot that is drier. Even wet grass can sometimes attract unwanted visitors. While it is nice to find a spot overlooking the water, sometimes the pros don’t outweigh the cons when it comes to dealing with insects. It is also wise to avoid setting up camp near marshy or swampy areas as you will find all kinds of insects and small animals inhabiting these spots. So this would be the first defense against mosquitoes and other types of insects.
Defensive Measures
Everyone knows that most flies are attracted to light. Not everyone knows that insects and many animals keep away from smoke. It is a simple defense mechanism that they do not want to get to close to a fire. So it is advisable to set up a camp fire and keep it burning as much as you can, provided that it is safe. You don’t want to leave a fire burning overnight as that can be potentially very dangerous. And since most insects are attracted to light you will want to keep the lights some distance from your tents and food so as not to attract them to the areas that you least want them. Now this can be tricky since you need to have light to see. But there are certain types of candles that provide light and double as insect repellents such as citronella candles but be careful where you place them.
Insect Repellent
The final line of protection against insects is your standard insect repellent. There are many options when it comes to bug spray so try to find something that works for you. It is generally a trial and error process to see which bug spray you best prefer. But whichever one you go with, be careful as it can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, etc.