In this tiresome world, traveling is the best solution for relaxing and breathing for life. Any type of traveling is enjoyable, it can be camping with family and friend or backpacking alone in some jungle or sea. But if you are not going to Antarctica, bugs can be a problem – especially a mosquito. So, knowing how to repel mosquitoes is one of the major things to learn before going to the jungle.
Mosquitoes are everywhere without Antarctica, even if you decided to just go outside of your home enjoy a few peaceful moments at the park or your backyard, the mosquitoes are going to be a problem. They are not only irritating but it can be the reason of serious disease.
How to Repel Mosquitoes while Camping
For enjoying camping and backpacking at its fullest, we need some plan. There are few ways to fight mosquitoes in the wild. If you sleep without any protection you can wake-up to 50-100 mosquitoes bite mark.
And of course, the sound, they won’t let you sleep or do any other work peacefully. There are few beginner backpackers who never go back to the wild because of the experience of the first time and even if you go through all the pain, it can still threaten your life. So, prevention is better here.
1. Disease Danger of Mosquito in Camping
if you camp or backpack around the area where Zika virus, malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus these are common, you will be in danger. In fact, more than one million people die from mosquito-borne illnesses each year.
Chikungunya a mosquito-borne disease recently hit the north and south America. It happened because of Asian Tiger mosquito and because of this disease people feel fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, rash, and debilitating joint pain.
So, for a traveler it’s a mandatory safety should be taken before any trip.
2. Knowledge of Campsite Mosquito Control at Different Stages
Mosquitoes have more than 200 species, so knowing them differently will be difficult. But all the species have few things commonly. Only female mosquitoes collect blood and lay eggs. There are mainly four stages of a mosquito’s life.
Egg – When the egg is ready, they lay eggs in the water;
Larva – (plural: larvae) they live in water; molts many times; though they live in water, but most of the species breath in the air;
Pupa – (plural: pupae) This stage called “tumbler. In this stage does not feed; this is the previous stage before the adult stage;
Adult – These are the stage we see. They become a flying insect.
3. Repelling Mosquitoes at Stages: Some Steps
Male mosquitoes live not more than two weeks and they drink from the plant and flower nectar. But female based on species can live one to month. They choose their target based on smell, heat movement they can even feel the carbon dioxide we exhale.
After female mosquitoes collect enough blood, they lay eggs. The duration of the larval stage depends on water temperature, food, and species type.
Then come the purple stage. After that, they become a full-grown mosquito. The full circle mostly takes two weeks but for a few species, it can take a month.
4. Check the Habitat of Mosquito in Campsite and Take Action
Checking campsite properly can save lots of time and work. This is the best prevention we can take as we know mosquito’s lay eggs in still water. Find all the still water source and keep mosquitoes away.
As mosquitoes spent most of their time in the water, they lay eggs there, complete their cycle so checking the water-source is a must. They can lay an egg any kind of dirty water source, cleaning them will destroy their home.
Some campsite uses mosquito’s magnet trap but for a backpacker, the whole world is a campsite. So before making the tent check the site. Try to understand if the place will be safe if not change the site.
5. Burn Sage to Prevent Mosquitoes Easily
Sage is a natural ingredient which smells earthy. For a traveler, that scent can be a bond closer to earth but for mosquitoes, that’s a death trap. Adding sage with campfire will keep them away from the campers.
Plus, even after burning sage creates a layer into cloth and skin, which gives protection against mosquitoes. Mosquitoes don’t enjoy the smell and because of this, we get a peaceful trip.
6. Hang Mosquito Netting
This is the last tip. If you are not camping an air-conditioned area you will be needed the perfect mosquito bug net. For a backpacker before sleeping installing a mosquito net is mandatory. It’s the good old way which always gives the best service.
All the tips above are the natural remedy, using this will make trip bite free. But if you want chemical solutions then use store-bought products. They are not only harmful to nature but also for your health.
But the chemical works effectively for destroying mosquitoes, using DEET (the active ingredient diethyltoluamide) inside any solution will help. DEET is a short time solution and have to use it cautiously.
Camping gives us a break from city life. Camping and backpacking should be our gate away from all the chaos and this trip should be bug-free, mosquitoes free and bite free.
Taking a few precautions will give us that peace. Most importantly we learn from our mistake. So, take the leap of faith and enjoy the trip, we will learn from our trip and make our own tips for surviving the attack from mosquitoes.
7. Make a DIY Mosquito Repellent Spray
The best way to keep mosquitoes away while camping is probably the DIY mosquito repellent spray. So, why not buy, which is the easiest option?
Well because the chemical spray isn’t always good for nature. Plus, it smells bad and makes everything kind of smelly.
So, lots of people make their own homemade repellent spray.
How to Make DIY Repellant Spray
There’s a way to make a repellent spray. These are the ingredients needed for the spray.
Ingredients
- 30 drops geranium essential oil
- 30 drops citronella essential oil
- 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 TBSP vodka or rubbing alcohol
- ½ cup natural witch hazel
- ½ cup water (or vinegar)
- 1 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
Steps of making camping mosquito repellent
Take a spray bottle, mix all the oil and vodka. Shake them properly. After a while add glycerin. It’s an optional step but doing it will keep the spray together.
Then add water and shake them until they mix with each other naturally. This DIY spray works like magic and because of oils, it smells good.
8. Buy Bug Repellent Bracelets to Get Rid of Mosquitoes and Bugs
This invention can save a traveler from bugs and mosquitoes. Many companies came up with this kind of bracelet, all we have to do is wear them around our wrist and the rest of the work will be done.
When we wear the bracelet, it keeps emitting vapors of active ingredients at a radius around you that will protect us from bug and mosquitoes. It works the same if we keep the bracelets close.
9. Pack Some Extra Dryer Sheets for Bug Repellent in Camping
Some extra dryer sheet is necessary for bug repellent for camping. Especially, when you are not planning to shower.
Though it’s not the best procedure it helps for some time. Press the sheet to your cloth and it keeps them dry. Use it around food that will give peace while eating.
10. Take Shower Properly to Avoid Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are attracted to smell of Sweat and that’s not pleasing news. Especially in wild people sweat a lot. Doing shower time to time will keep our body and mind fresh which can prevent sweat. In humid situation try to shower after a hike or workouts.
This is one of the easiest ways to learn how to repel mosquitoes while camping.
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