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Swatting Bugs: How to Get Rid of Insects at Your Campsite
Let’s face it. When you head outdoors, you’re likely going to come across one or two unfamiliar creatures that you don’t need pestering you. While some of these creatures can be dangerous, most insects and animals don’t pose an immediate threat. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t pestering you. So how do you minimize the impact of mosquitoes and other insects at your campsite so you can have the best camping experience possible? Let’s take a look.
The first insect on anyone’s mind when they start putting together the campfire is the ever-popular mosquito. The mosquito can be such a pest that even its very name conjures up images of annoyance and discomfort. Summers in the north will particularly see a lot of mosquitoes; so how do you get rid of these pests? Insect repellent on your skin will make a significant difference, but you’ll also want to light some strategically-placed insect repelling candles around your camp area. Make sure they’re in fire-safe areas. Once you have these in place, light your fire; that should be enough to keep a majority of mosquitoes away.
Once you move beyond mosquitoes, the pests become a little bit more threatening. For example, ticks can carry disease and generally pester you; they’re so small that they can be hard to prevent. Make sure a few times a day, you check your skin for ticks, particularly after waking up and spending a lot of time near the ground. Bring long, light pants if you think you’re going to be knee-deep in wild brush; ticks can often get on your skin while you’re wearing shorts and wading through some wildlife. Making sure you have your skin protected will also help you to avoid Poison Ivy.When it comes to larger critters, including everything from chipmunks to snakes, you’ll want to take an alternate route: instead of removing them, you’ll want to keep your distance. You don’t know if a mammal is carrying a disease, and you can’t be sure which snakes are poisonous. It’s better to take the safe route and avoid as many of them as possible. Try to clear out your camp area so that you can tell if anything larger than an insect is around you; this will help you to spot these critters. If necessary, be sure to leave your boots upside down and inspect your sleeping bags before you go to bed.
Sometimes, keeping pests out of your way can be an issue of common sense; simply try to evaluate your situation and come up with a solution that gets rid of the pests most frequently bothering you.
Photo Credits: Mike Burns
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A Camping Trip the Family Can Enjoy
When it comes to camping trips, many people first imagine a fading-fire-filled, mosquito-swatting nature experience that doesn’t feel very natural at all. Especially for parents with families and children to take care of, getting into the Great Outdoors can feel more like a chore than a vacation.
Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you end up enjoying your camping trip, and these ways won’t necessarily cost you more money. Having a fun camping trip that your entire family can enjoy is about following some basic strategies that you won’t have to change your schedule around too much: and you can do many of them at home. Here are some great strategies for having a successful camping trip that everyone in your family enjoys.
First, remember that preparation is key. Doing all of your work up front means that once it comes time for camping, you’re prepared for anything that might head your way. While this is the “boring,” “safe” way to go camping, the way that seems rigid and inflexible, you’ll find that solid preparation is really the key to maintaining flexibility and providing for the ability to pursue a number of options. Does your family notice a chance to go hiking? If you’ve prepared with the right equipment, you’ll be ready.
How do you prepare for a camping trip, and what are the things to consider? First, you’ll want to mentally run through a typical day at camp. How will you wake up? Will you be under a dry tent, and will your sleep be comfortable? How will you eat breakfast, how will you wash up, and what activities can you try throughout the day that you’ll enjoy? These are some great questions to ask yourself.In particular, pay attention not only to a typical day for yourself, but what a family might need to do while camping. This will depend on the age range of your children, but you should already have a solid grip on what your specific children’s needs will be.
Out of this process, you’ll be able to form a “to-do” or “to-pack” checklist that will ensure you don’t forget anything on vacation day. You’ll not only be more likely to pack everything you’ll need, but you’ll feel more confident and secure when it comes time to leave.
Second, you’ll want to do some solid scouting. Make sure you’re choosing a campsite that isn’t too rustic or adventuresome. You want your family to have a good time, and many times, going the safe route and just letting your kids get a “taste” of nature is all that’s required to create a really authentic experience.
Keep in mind that these two strategies will help you remain flexible in the future: preparation should include preparing for the unexpected, and potential adventures that might come up. Be open-minded about your options and you’ll find out just how successful of a family camper you can be.
Photo Credit: Just-Us-3
