Camping is a great way to expose the family to the outdoors. It is also a great way to escape the busy city life and to commune with nature. However, most camping trips can be bothered by bugs. It is best to familiarize yourself about the three most common bugs during a camping trip.
- Mosquitos
In the United States, one of the most common bugs or insects is the mosquito – not just in camping, but in general. These blood-sucking creatures carry a variety of diseases, even fatal ones. Malaria, yellow fever and the most recent, Zika. While there are many mosquitos that don’t carry dangerous diseases, mosquito bites can be annoying. They cause inflammation, itchy skin and sometimes big bumps.
When you go camping, make sure to bring insect repellent because it’s the most effective yet easiest way to deter mosquitos. These insect repellents are commonly known as DEET. For people who are sensitive to DEET, eucalyptus and citronella oils are your alternatives to scare the mosquitos away.
- Tick
Tick is also one of the most common campsite pests in the US. These parasites will also camp in the warm parts of your body like the genital area, underarms and the scalp. Ticks can cause Lyme disease. And we know that if Lyme disease is left untreated, it will spread to other parts of the body. In order to be safe from ticks when you are camping, insect repellant is necessary. It is also advised to wear light clothing or light colored clothing so you can spot ticks and get rid of them before they reach any exposed skin. It is also best if you can avoid sitting on the ground when camping. We know how comfortable it is to sit on the ground. But if you can help it, stick to camping chairs or picnic benches.
- Chiggers
Chiggers, like berry bugs and red bugs, are all from the same family of mites. Did you know that the US is a chigger country? Yes, along with mosquitos and ticks, chiggers are also common campsite pests in the US. Chiggers can cause lesions on human skin. Once they make contact with the skin, they will leave behind red and itchy welts. Like mosquitos and ticks, insect repellant with DEET can make them stay away. There is also a synthetic chemical called permethrin that you can use to keep chiggers at bay. There are powders, sprays and permethrin-treated clothing available in the market so you will be safe from chiggers.
Camping is a great outdoor activity, and bugs should not be the reason why you don’t want to go. For camp organizers or campsite managers, make sure to contact professional help in dealing with campsite pests so your guests will have a worthwhile adventure.
Written by BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care. BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care offers the best service for pest control in Columbia, MO.
