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Some of the top recommended products for keeping bugs away while camping.
Summer is a time for getting outside and enjoying some of the great nature Minnesota has to offer. Don't let pests become uninvited guests.
Whether you are a serious camper who gets off the grid for several days or just a casual hiker who enjoys an afternoon at a beloved state park, you might encounter mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests when out trying to enjoy nature. Being unprepared can make your time anything but relaxing as you spend less time observing the wonders of the wilderness and more time swatting, slapping, and wishing you were back inside.
However, a little preparation can go a long way and we have a few tips to help keep mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects from ruining your trip.
1) Plan out the time of year and locations when pests are least active.
Ticks can be active any time that temperatures are consistently above freezing, so avoiding ticks can be a challenge. Mosquitoes, however, follow a trend based on weather throughout the season. If you look at the MMCD 10-year average, you can see that there are certain times of the year when mosquitoes are likely to be worse than others:
Based on the 10-year average within the Twin Cities metro, mosquitoes peak in early July.
For instance, mosquitoes won't be as abundant in the early spring or fall if you don't mind camping when overnight temperatures are cooler. Plan your trip for early May or September/October and the likelihood of being swarmed by mosquitoes is low. If summer temperatures are an important part of your trip, August tends to have fewer mosquitoes than June or July and temperatures are still usually quite warm. This is partially because cattail mosquitoes emerge in early July and tend to slow down by August and spring snowmelt mosquitoes have mostly abated by late summer. Heavy rain and hot, humid temperatures any time of year can easily change things, however, so check the forecast and plan ahead.
Another important consideration is finding a camping location where mosquitoes and black flies are less likely to be active. Mosquitoes develop in stagnant water so campsites close to shallow ponds, swamps, or marshland will likely have an abundance of mosquitoes. Black flies require moving water, so being near rivers and streams, especially in spring and early summer will mean they are more active. Check the landscape near your campsite so you can be prepared. If avoiding pests altogether is a priority, the Minnesota DNR lists several state campgrounds with fewer insects.
2) Pack clothes to make you less likely to get bit.
When it comes to reducing mosquito and tick bites, there is an adage that we repeat often at mosquito control - long, light, loose.
Long Sleeves and Pants - Cover up exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and pants. For extra protection we recommend tucking your pants into your socks - it will keep ticks from crawling up your pant legs and make you more likely to spot them before they find skin.
Light Colors - Gray, white, and tan are good colors to wear. It's easier to spot ticks on lighter colored fabrics and mosquitoes are less attracted to those colors. Studies have shown that red, orange, blue, and black are the colors most likely to attract mosquitoes so leave those colors at home.
Loose Fitting - Mosquitoes can bite through tight fabrics, so loose fitting is better.
Gray, tan, and white are good colors to avoid mosquitoes and ticks.
3) Pre-treat your clothing and gear with permethrin.
An effective way to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes and ticks is to purchase a spray containing the active ingredient permethrin and using it to treat clothing and gear. The CDC recommends this approach as an effective deterrent to ticks and it also repels mosquitoes and other bugs.
Permethrin is sold at most hardware or outdoor stores as a spray (often labeled "Clothing and Gear Spray") and you can also purchase clothing that has been pre-treated. Most products are effective through several wash cycles. Make sure to read the label and ensure you are applying the product using the most safe and effective method.
Spraying your shoes, socks, and pants makes it less likely that ticks or mosquitoes will attach near your ankles, which is a favored spot for both insects. Unlike traditional bug sprays that are applied to the skin, permethrin needs to be applied before the clothes are worn.
4) Bring bug spray that works.
When we recommend insect repellent, we encourage people to look for the EPA registration which means the product has been tested for safety and efficacy. Be wary of new products that claim strong protection against mosquitoes and ticks or at-home remedies that sometimes gain popularity on social media as many of these are untested or have been proven not to be effective.
There are several ingredients that are highly recommended for their effectiveness at repelling bugs and safe to use. Repellents can come in the form of sprays, creams, or wipes and different application methods may be better for different ages. The top recommended products are:
- DEET - The most commonly found ingredient in bug repellents and most products are effective for 5 hours or longer. It is not recommended that you use concentrations higher than 30%.
- Picaridin - A synthetic product designed to resemble the compound piperine which is found in black pepper plants. Picaridin has been shown to be as effective as DEET and you may find it has a better smell.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus - A natural product derived from essential oils that has been proven effective, though for a shorter time period. The product is not recommended for children under the age of 2.
- IR3535 - A product with the lengthy full name ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate has been proven to be as effective as DEET against some of the more common mosquitoes we have in Minnesota.
If you need helping choosing a product, the EPA has created a handy tool to find the repellent that is best for you. Just make sure you are always following the label directions for proper use. Remember - put on sunscreen first, then bug spray.
5) Use physical barriers to keep the bugs away.
Sometimes the simplest method is to just create a barrier between yourself and the bugs that are after you. Purchasing a pop-up screen tent will give you a safe retreat during the time of day when bugs are out.
If you don't have room for an extra tent, consider an oscillating fan as a good solution. Mosquitoes are weak flyers so a fan will help keep them away. Set one up near a seating area and it will provide some relief from bugs and a cool breeze on muggy summer nights.
Smoke is also an effective deterrent to mosquitoes and all other insects, so building a campfire that produces smoke will make a small impact as well.
Use a fan to keep cool AND keep bugs away.
6) Avoid behaviors that make you more susceptible to ticks and mosquitoes.
While most of our advice consists of things you SHOULD do while hiking or camping, there are also quite a few things you should avoid. Make sure all of the tips above are effective by making smart choices like:
- Stay on the trail - Ticks are less likely to attach if you are on paved or mowed trails or areas without long grasses.
- Don't wear artificial scents - Hair spray, perfume, body sprays and other artificial scents make you a mosquito magnet, so don't reduce the effectiveness of bug spray by using something that will attract them.
- Avoid peak mosquito feeding times - Mosquito activity peaks during the hour surrounding sunset and sunrise, so that might be a good time head into the tent or avoid being outdoors.
7) Always be mosquito and tick aware.
You can take every precaution in the world, but there is no way to 100% guarantee that you won't encounter mosquitoes and ticks, aside from avoiding the outdoors altogether. Be sure to plan ahead and make good choices, but when you are out in the woods or anywhere there are long grasses be sure to remain tick and mosquito aware. This includes:
- Check for ticks daily and remove them properly - Check yourself, your kids, and your pets daily after being outside and remove any ticks as soon as possible. Longer attachment means an increased likelihood of spreading disease, so frequent checks are necessary. If you find a tick, use a tweezers to remove it as close to the head as possible, dispose of the tick by putting it in rubbing alcohol or a piece of tape, and clean the area with soap and water.
- Treat mosquito bites to reduce the itch - Everyone has their own method of reducing the itch from mosquito bites so use the most effective method that you prefer. We recommend ice, an anti-itch lotion (like calamine), and non-drowsy antihistamines.
Following all of these tips will make your camping trip a lot more enjoyable and help to decrease your risk of tick and mosquito-borne disease. Minnesota summers are short and we want everyone to enjoy them while they last while making plans to keep the pests away!
Last summer, MMCD was featured on Minnesota Live to talk about many of these mosquito and tick tips while camping. Check it out below:
