Tips to Keeping Mosquito Free

Annoying pesky mosquito

Besides being the all time summer pest to most, it is a fly. Generally there are three types, with more than 3,000 species:

1.“Ades” or better known as floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in early spring and hatch after water levels recede in the early summer, depending on the rain levels;

2. “Anopheles best known as freshwater mosquitoes thrive around rivers and lakes; and

3. “Culex”, they are your typical backyard pest and thrive in standing water, like empty flower pots, ditches and almost anywhere that water will pool.

Have you ever arrived at a campsite and as soon as your foot hits the ground – instant bite? Well, this could be because you are wearing clean clothes, are freshly showered and some even go to the point of wearing perfumes…not a good choice! It seems that mosquitoes are attracted to “Fresh Humans”, so take that hoodie or jacket that you plan to wear upon your arrival and pre-spray it with your insect spray of choice.

Mosquito products help keep the bites away!

How to best combat that mosquito? Well, you could lock yourself indoors for the entire summer? Not an option for British Columbians as we enjoy our outdoors too much. The number one chemical product on the market is NN-Diethyl – Meta-Tolumide or as we know it “Deet”. Although it is harsh in smell, Deet does work wonders.

But what other alternative choices do we have? “OFF”, is the number one brand that we all trust and buy by the case-full. Off is available in a variety of forms, from spray for adults, children and babies to Candles, Lamps and their latest the Clip-on fan.

Often when camping, we usually wear shorts, tee-shirts and tank tops, due to the warm weather, but remember most mosquito sprays are meant to be applied on clothing and not directly onto the skin.

Other companies have been selling mosquito repellent for years and only recently it has been marketed like, “Avon’s, “Skin-So-Soft” that works wonders too. So, if you don’t mind the pretty smell omitting from your campsite this may be the product for you.

If you are looking for natural mosquito repellants, use pure peppermint oil. No, not Listerine, which reminds me of a few years back when someone told my Aunt to use Listerine. In a hurricane frenzy she sprayed the perimeter of the campsite and it smelled clean, but that’s as far as it went. Natural Peppermint oil can be dabbed directly on skin, clothing, picnic table, umbrellas, tents or wherever you need protection.

Mosquito Tent is a nice camping feature

What’s another way to combat the pesky little fly? Purchase a screen tent; a 10 X 10 X 8 is large enough to be placed over most picnic tables in campgrounds. Try to purchase a screen that has openings that zipper from the bottom up and are located in the centre. The D-opening style I would not recommend if you are a family with small children, as they are a tripping hazard. Remember to make sure the entire bottom of the tent is sitting flush on the ground. Place rocks on the lower flap. Mosquitoes are heat seekers, so even the tiniest of holes allows them to enter.

5 Mosquito Control Tips:

Pre-spray clothes before going in the outdoors with Deet, Off or Skin So Soft

Chemical free 100% peppermint oil on skin, hair and areas of campsite

Use other mosquito repellants, such as candles, fans, and bracelets

Set up a screen tent that fits over your picnic table

Don’t shower and stay stinky

Published: August 8th, 2013

by PoMoDee

PoMoDee (Darlene) is a Social Media Coordinator who manages platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Google +. Darlene was born and raised in British Columbia and currently resides in Port Moody. Darlene is an avid camper, who has been camping since the age of two and still enjoys the serene setting of a campsite. Interests include writing, crafting, crocheting, photography and anything and everything Beach.

11 thoughts on "Tips to Keeping Mosquito Free"

Rosanne Price says:

January 31, 2019 at 4:58 am

Original sent Bounce sheets also work to repel mosquitos. Put one in the pocket of your camp chairs
or any place that you can tuck one into. You can also rub on your legs and arms. We also use citronella oil if the are really bad, but haven’t had to use the oil very often after I put the Bounce sheets out.

Carl Corrigan says:

September 23, 2018 at 12:45 pm

Citronella oil works wonders!

Jim Van Riper says:

May 12, 2017 at 11:59 am

I’m not bothered by mosquitoes. I have a wooden leg and when one tastes that, she passes the word that I don’t taste good – so they go to the others in my group of campers.

dktobia@cox.net says:

May 12, 2017 at 7:15 am

Great article – It never ceases to amaze me how I can sit next to my husband who seems to be the all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitos and I’m not even an appetizer. I am vegan and he is carnivore. I think they must love meat.

Nancy says:

January 23, 2017 at 6:18 am

I noticed the article said that Listerine did not work.
We have been spraying the campsite with Listerine for a couple of years now and it works great. Especially with gnats.

Scott says:

September 7, 2016 at 11:13 am

who manufactures the tent you show here?

Darlene says:

October 1, 2017 at 11:31 pm

It’s by Columbia, but others like Coleman and Ozark are great ones too

PoMoDee

November 16, 2016 at 12:27 pm

Its by Columbia

Megan M says:

July 10, 2015 at 8:59 am

Hey there!

I found your thread quite informative as well as interesting. I am an avid camper within the interior, but my boyfriend always complains about the mosquitoes. I haven’t done much research on mosquito repellant as they don’t seem to be attracted to me. I usually end up with two or three bites by the end of the season.

I do however have a bit of information to add, I have heard and swear by eating at least a banana a week and adding garlic to as many meals as possible, not to mention cooking with it while you are camping. I find it to be a great natural deterrent, because it’s not only good for you but it also tastes great and is very inexpensive.

I hope this information helps and I wish all of you a memorable and safe camping season.

Cheers!

Mark says:

August 21, 2016 at 5:49 am

Don’t forget your pets, I for one have always added granulated garlic to my dogs food, every single time he is fed and it does work well against fleas and mosquitos, as with people if garlic is eaten it is excreted through you gland out from you skim and this is how it naturally works, I am 100 percent Portuguese, and also a chef, I tend to use a lot of garlic when I cook and I also like spicy or hot food like peppers and such, I rarely have a problem with getting any bites on me while a person sitting next to me does nothing but complain and slap all night long, I also believe if you slap a mosquito that the remnants of there inside which usually contains blood is more of an attractant. So if possible try not to slap or scratch, but as mentioned in the article spraying you clothes before putting them on is the best way to start.