They’re not just annoying; they’re dangerous. (We don’t need to remind you of the Zika frenzy.) So much so that Australian scientists bred 20 million mosquitoes in a recent experiment. They infected males with a specific type of bacteria to make them sterile. Then, they released over three million of them. These sterile males couldn’t bite or spread disease; however, when they mated with wild female mosquitoes, the eggs didn’t hatch, and the population plummeted. Scientists were ultimately able to wipe out 80 percent of Aedes aegypti—a type of disease-harboring mosquito.

Extreme? Yes. And the implications can be global. In the meantime, do your part to minimize mosquitoes at your campsite with a few tips and tricks.

Tips to Keep Your Summer Camping Trip Bite-Free

Summer camping season is right around the corner, and we’re ecstatic to escape the city, put down the phone, and Enjoy Life Outdoors! Whether it’s camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Pisgah National Forest is our go-to), along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or in your secret home away from home spot, getting off the grid comes with its fair share of pesky pests and mosquitoes. Here are some tips on setting up a bite-free basecamp this summer!

1. Use Lemon Eucalyptus Spray

Never leave home without it! Before you even leave the car to hike in, be proactive about protecting yourself along the trail—the last thing you want is to be itchy before the fun even starts. Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil goes on easy with a cool, refreshing scent and isn’t greasy or sticky after it dries. This highly effective and powerful stuff will help repel mosquitoes and insects for up to 6 hours. Hopefully, your hike isn’t that long or you’re going to need a lot s’mores at the finish line 😉

2. Wear the Right Clothing

Rumor has it mosquitoes are attracted to darker-colored clothes, so be sure to pack accordingly. Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and apply Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Spray directly to your clothing for an extra layer of protection. It won’t harm or deteriorate any of your gear (clothing, tents, fishing line, etc.) like most other chemical-based repellents. Good for the Family, Good for the Planet…Good for your Gear!

3. Use Tent Etiquette

First things first, double-check your tent for rips and holes before you leave the house. Lay down a tent footprint or ground cover to protect the floor of your tent from wear and tear. Double-walled tents offer the best protection—an inner tent layer with breathable nylon and an outer layer or a “fly” that’s wind and water-resistant. When setting up your tent at basecamp, keep the windows and doors zipped close and always zip it up quickly after you enter and leave. If you’re getting swarmed, spray Lemon Eucalyptus Oil on the outer layer for maximum protection.

4. Set Up Somewhere High & Dry

Scope out a basecamp spot that is flat, dry, and offers a good breeze to keep the bugs at bay. Also, steer clear of locations adjacent to standing bodies of water—lakes, creeks, puddles, etc.—because these tend to be prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. You never know when some rainy weather might roll through (we’re not trying to jinx it!), so be sure to set up camp in a spot that gets plenty of sunshine to dry out over the course of the day.

5. Start a Campfire + Use Mosquito Sticks

As much as bugs love light, they aren’t big fans of fire and smoke. Build a fire a safe distance from your tent to stay warm, cook and provide smoke for the surrounding area. Next, grab a couple Mosquito Sticks and place those closer to your surrounding area—tents, chairs, picnic table, etc. Each stick offers a slow burn (2+ hours) with a powerful mosquito & flying insect repellent punch. Time for the S’mores! You’ve earned it. Now that basecamp is set up, kick back, relax, and Enjoy Life Outdoors!

Gear Protection:

• Avoid using random sprays with DEET on your gear as they can damage items like tents.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin.
• Use an appropriate type of repellent for exposed skin.

Thermacell Effectiveness:

• Thermacell works well in a radius of 10-15 feet, especially in non-windy conditions.
• Not ideal for hiking or windy situations.
• Effective when stationary; use in combination with DEET for better results.

Mosquito Repellent Options:

• Use mosquito repellent with DEET for skin protection.
• Treat clothing with permethrin (ensure it’s safe for cats).
• Mosquito coils are effective in windless conditions.

Creative Solutions:

• Experiment with unconventional methods like creating more smoke with items like horse manure on a campfire.
• Smoke cigars as a deterrent.

Personal Experiences:

• Light a cigar to ward off mosquitoes while camping.
• Where mosquitoes are unavoidable, employ a combination of mosquito coils, citronella candles, and Off! Bug spray.
• Use mosquito-repelling bracelets for kids and maintain a campfire for added protection.