Wondering how to overcome those pesky insects and needs tips to keep mosquitoes away while camping? These simple ideas can make a huge impact and difference!
Trust me, mosquitoes are my nemesis. And not only do they love me, but they love our girls as well. In fact, I find them so annoying that I’ve spent entire beautiful weather days holed up in the camper because I just couldn’t take getting bitten anymore. (Isn’t that the exact opposite of what you’re supposed to do when camping?!)
No matter who you are, you’ve probably been bitten a time or two by those pesky bugs…and every time you do, you find them to be more and more annoying. They can easily ruin any outdoor adventure fast – and make your favorite camping spot almost unbearable.
The good news? There are ways that you can keep mosquitoes away when camping! Before your next camping adventure, use these tips to keep the mosquitoes at bay. My hope for you is that you return home with camping memories and not insect bites!
Affiliate links are used in this post at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure and Privacy Policy for more info.
Tips for Keeping Those Pesky Mosquitos Away
While these aren’t guaranteed to work, they are worth a try! Some people find great success with these varied results, so you need to try them all and see what works for you.
How do I keep mosquitoes from biting me?
Great question, and it’s an answer that varies for every single person. However, there are certain things that you can try to stop those bugs from gnawing away on your skin.
- Get rid of any standing water near your campsite (mosquitoes love calm water that doesn’t move)
- Use essential oils to your benefit (peppermint essential oil is supposedly a good alternative to bug spray)
- Find a bug spray that you’re comfortable with spraying on your skin, and keep body sprays and hair care products to a minimum. (they’re often scented and sticky, making them a magnet for mosquitoes)
If you don’t like the thought of using chemicals on your skin, I completely understand. While there are many bug sprays that are now deet-free, there are even more natural options that you can try as well to keep mosquitoes away.
How do you keep mosquitoes away naturally?
This can take a bit more work and creativity on your part, but it’s possible to do. For natural remedies for getting rid of mosquitoes, try these options:
- Cover all open areas of your body with clothing (if a mosquito can’t land on your skin, they can’t bite you) Ankle cuffs are a great idea, as well as they keep the opening of your pant legs closed up on your skin.
- Wear close-toed shoes at all times (same as the above clothing method but for your feet)
- Buy a natural bug spray at the store and spray the area a few different times throughout the day or as recommended by the directions
- Bring plants from home that are natural mosquito repellants
- Find a camping area that is free of what looks like puddles or other wet/damp areas where mosquitoes tend to love to hang out
Any of these natural ideas are great ways to get rid of mosquitoes naturally and don’t take a ton of effort.
How do you stop mosquitoes from biting you in your sleep?
This one is a booger. Seriously, it’s like they sense the moment you fall asleep and just come to feast on you and your resting body. If you’re wondering how to keep mosquitoes away at night, here are some simple ideas that you can try to keep the mosquitos at bay:
- Having a fan going on your body when you sleep at night (makes it harder for them to land)
- Use essential oils on your skin right before going to sleep
- Purchase a mosquito net that you can sleep in to keep them out of your tent and area
- Invest in an electronic mosquito repellant to wear at night to see if it keeps them away
- Some people even feel that dabbing vinegar on their body helps keep them away
While those are all great things to try, again, these are just possible theories of what could work.
Are there any food items that you can eat to deter mosquitos?
Eating these food items can help you deter mosquitoes naturally!
- Garlic (you can also take garlic pills/garlic capsules as well!)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chili peppers
- Lemongrass
Find some great camping recipes and whip up a few meals using these ingredients!
What kills mosquitoes the best?
And while I wish there was a million-dollar answer, there just isn’t one. We’ve been camping so many times and have yet to unlock this puzzle.
The combination of the weather, the location, and the humidity all tend to play a role in how active the mosquitoes are, too.
We’ve been to some campsites during the summer where there weren’t any bugs and others where they were so thick you could literally taste them.
Natural methods for bug repellent
If you want to use a natural mosquito repellent, you have options. Some natural bug repellent options include :
Essential oils or herbal products
Lavender oils, citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, or even essential oil bug spray can be options.
Citronella candles
These can work great as a natural repellent, but you do have to be sitting in pretty close proximity to the candle. Citronella tea lights work as well.
Mosquito coils
Mosquito repellent coils are easy to buy and set up, so they’re worth a shot. (Some may have natural ingredients while others do not, so look at the ingredient list before buying. Only for outdoor use)(
Ultrasonic devices
This is a handy portable mosquito repeller that can help with other insect control, too.
Mosquito netting
Keeping out those annoying mosquitoes might be as simple as setting up netting in the area where you’re outside. Extra protection is never a bad idea.
Bug zappers
Since mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, they’re just going to be coming around constantly. Pack a bug zapper in your camping gear and let it help. This really is an effective insect repellents to use while you’re sleeping.
Zapper racket
The kids might have fun with this one. It’s becoming a popular method to use and an easy one. It’s like a flyswatter, but it’s in the shape of a racket, and you hold and swing away to get rid of the bugs.
Fly traps
Yes, while these might be for flies, they can help catch mosquitoes, too. It’s an easy natural repellant that doesn’t involve chemicals or really any effort.
The other big thing to remember when you’re camping is to stay away from stagnant water and to get rid of food waste asap.
Mosquitoes and bugs are attracted to those two things, and by just not having them around, you can easily take care of a problem.
Natural Recipe for Mosquito Repellent
If oyu’re not keen on using a DEET-based product, but you don’t want to pay the high prices for a DEET-free mosquito repellent, you can always opt for making your own.
A recipe try to would be:
- 1 part minced garlic
- 2 parts apple cider vinegar
Mix well and store in a glass jar. Shake before each application.
You can also add a couple of drops of lemongrass essential oil if you’d like.
It’s a good idea to keep this mixture in the fridge until you need it. To apply, dap on your wrists, behind your ears, behind your knees, etc.
Does white vinegar deter mosquitoes?
When it comes to vinegar and mosquitoes, there is no definitive answer. Many people think that vinegar kills mosquitoes, but there is nothing out there confirming or denying it.
The above recipe is one to try to see what you think when it comes to this mosquito strategy.
Now that we’ve gone over a few ways to keep mosquitoes away…let’s talk about what to do AFTER those pesky little bugs have bitten you…
How to stop mosquito bites from itching?
As crazy as I sound, you can’t itch the bite. Itching your mosquito bite will only irritate it and potentially make it infected. Instead, you can try a number of different methods:
- Use calamine lotion on the bites to help with the itching
- Try an Epson salt bath if you have the ability to
- Use an ice pack and place it on the bite to get it cold
- Make a paste with baking soda and water and spread on the bite
- Rub aloe vera on the itchy bumps
And if you can’t stop scratching, try putting gloves on your hands to at least not have your nails digging into your skin.
What is the best protection against mosquitoes?
When it comes to an effective mosquito repellent, go with what works for you. Some people don’t even get bug bites from mosquitoes – how lucky are they?
I’ve found that the best protection from mosquitoes for me is to wear long sleeves and pants. Traditional bug sprays just don’t stop these annoying insects, and I’m tired of scratching for weeks after going on a camping trip.
If I’m going to be doing outdoor activities, the best way for me to keep the bugs at bay is to have a physical barrier of clothing on my skin.
But for you? There might be better options!
Did you know that the campfire can help deter mosquitoes?
One great thing about campfire smoke is that it can help keep those mosquitoes away! They don’t like smoke, and you’ll notice that if you’re in the line of the smoke blowing off the fire, you may not be getting bit as bad as everyone else.
Last but not least, invest in some citronella candles, tiki torches, and wrist mosquito coil bracelets that can all be beneficial for keeping your campsite mosquito free as well.
Anytime we pack for a camping trip, we pack to be prepared for mosquitoes to attack. (and if they don’t, then it’s just a really nice pleasant surprise!)
More Camping Posts
- Unplug and Thrive: Exciting Camping Activities for Teens and Tweens
- How to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper: Simple and Effective Tips
- Breastfeeding While Camping: Your Fun, Mom-Friendly Guide to Nursing in the Great Outdoors
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best Camping Whiskey
- Top Things to do in Abilene Kansas
Leave a Reply