Bug Protection While Camping

Bugs are part of outdoor life, but they don't have to make you miserable. Here's how to fight back.

Repellents

DEET

• Most effective for mosquitoes
• 20-30% concentration sufficient
• Avoid on synthetic fabrics
• Long track record

Picaridin

• Effective alternative to DEET
• Odorless, not greasy
• Safe on gear and fabrics
• Growing in popularity

Natural Options

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Only natural option CDC-recommended
• Shorter duration, reapply often

Permethrin (Clothing Treatment)

• Treat clothes, not skin
• Lasts through multiple washes
• Kills ticks on contact
• Highly effective combined with repellent

Physical Barriers

Clothing

• Long sleeves and pants
• Light colors (spot ticks easier)
• Tuck pants into socks (tick country)
• Wear hat

Camp Setup

• Use tent with intact mesh
• Screen houses for cooking areas
• Avoid camping near standing water

Tick Prevention

Tick Checks

• Full body check daily
• Focus on hairline, ears, armpits, groin
• Check gear and pets too

Removal

• Use fine-tipped tweezers
• Grasp close to skin
• Pull straight up, steady pressure
• Clean area after

Timing and Location

• Bugs worst at dawn and dusk
• Breezy areas have fewer bugs
• Avoid stagnant water
• Higher elevations often better

Stay bite-free! 🦟