Camping can be so much fun. It can be pretty exciting and romantic at the same time. However, you still can’t avoid the fact that there will always be some nasty uninvited guests who’ll keep on gatecrashing your outdoor escapades. And the most notorious of them are the mosquitoes.
Apart from those annoyingly itchy mosquito bites, there’s a ton of deadly diseases that you’ll be exposed to from these bloodsuckers. Mosquitoes are virtually everywhere. In fact, if you really want to make sure that you don’t encounter a single mosquito is if you move into Iceland. Otherwise, you’ll have to settle with some of these proven effective solutions in terms of keeping mosquitoes at bay as you immerse yourself with nature.
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What Are Mosquitoes?
The mosquito is perhaps the most hated outdoor pest by campers and backpackers alike. Not only that they exist in almost every corner of the globe but they are also the most stubborn of all insects. Modern day mosquitoes have now evolved and have skillfully adapted to most of conventional repellents.
When talking about these blood suckers, those itchy bites are the least of your problems. Mosquitoes have been well known as vectors of a wide variety of deadly diseases such as Dengue, Malaria, Zika, West Nile, and Chikungunya to name a few.
Female mosquitoes (not male) suck blood from their victims. They need this extra dose of blood to acquire the needed protein and iron necessary for the development of their eggs. Otherwise, both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar.
The itchiness of the female mosquitoes’ bites is simply because of our allergic reaction to the said insect’s saliva which prevent the blood from clotting.
Where Do Mosquitoes Like to Live?
Mosquitoes are dominant in tropical and subtropical countries. Mosquitoes prefer places where bodies of stagnant water are available. Ponds, marshes, and swamps are among their favorite habitats and the perfect place for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. They also nest on flood water and use it to stimulate their eggs until they hatch.
Take a look at the below video for more information on how standing water can attract mosquitoes to your home (and campsite).
When Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Mosquitoes are basically more active at night. This is simply because they avoid getting exposed to daylight. Light from the sun can easily dehydrate these small but terrible insects. There are more than 3,500 known species of mosquitoes.
Most of these species especially the Aedes Egypti (Dengue) are usually active at dusk and the Anopheles (Malaria) at dawn or night.
When is Mosquitoes Season?
Like us, mosquitoes also have their own version of hunting season. Just because mosquitoes like warm and humid climates, it doesn’t mean that you can only expect a so called mosquito season during summer.
Read Also: What’s the best head net for mosquitoes?
The magic number to remember is 50 which translates to 50 degrees F. It is at this point of temperature that mosquitoes in hibernation set off to hunt. Eggs hatch under this temperature as well.
Top Mosquito Camping Tips
Camping is perhaps one of the best ways to spend quality time with friends and family. However, it is also important to bear in mind some safety precautions in order to avoid being the mosquito’s next meal. Here are some of them:
Camping isn’t complete without a campfire. Campers usually set up fire at the front of their tents for light and cooking purposes. The fire itself is repulsive to mosquitoes so it should help in repelling them.
Read Also: What are good mosquito nets for your bed?
While you’re at it, add some sage leaves into the fiery centerpiece of your group’s camp. The sage herb is a natural mosquito repellent and a sumptuous addition to your recipe.
When burnt, the leaves give off a strong citrus scent that mosquitoes hate. The smoke also gets into your clothes and camping equipment such as your tent and hammock leaving its scent on its trail.
When planning for a camping location, avoid places where there are known standing waters nearby as much as possible. Mosquitoes love stagnant bodies of water and they serve as the perfect nesting location. So if you’re already camping alongside a pond or a like, chances are that you can expect some buzzing and smacking from time to time.
The Tiki Torch can either stand as support or as replacement for its outdoor big brother – the bonfire. Tiki Torches are effective light sources and mosquito repellents at the same time. You can place one in every corner of your campsite or practically anywhere you like.
Tiki Torches also come in various styles and sizes. You can also make some of your own provided that you have all the basic needed materials – wick, receptacle, fuel, and vessel.
(here’s some of our recommended top tiki torch fuels)
A considerable alternative to tiki torches, the citronella candle has also proven its worth as an effective insect repellent. These special candles are blended with the citronella essential oil which produce a strong scent that mosquitoes hate. Citronella candles be bought in various sizes and lengths. You can also make some on your own.
When all else fails, the screen room is final frontier towards truly enjoying the great outdoors – minus the mosquito bites. In most cases, the screen room is classified as a special type of camping tent.
But unlike the traditional tents, screen rooms are designed with screens as its walls. This way, you will be able to enjoy the full view of your environment without the need of moving out from the tent.
More importantly, the screen room protects you from all types of outdoor critters and fliers instead of just mosquitoes alone.
Top 5 Mosquito Products For Camping
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
- Portable Rechargeable Camping Fan
- FIRINER Camping Hammock
- Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent
- WoneNice Hammock with Mosquito Net
- Tiki BiteFighter Torch Fuel
Odoland Portable Camping Fan
When camping, you don’t have to stuff up your bag with a lot of gears and equipment as long as you have the Odoland Portable Rechargeable Camping Fan.
With just 2 D batteries you can get as much as 37 hours of use with regular use. Both the fan and light functions come with different settings.
We also recommend checking out our mosquito fan guide for more information to keep you bite free.
FIRINER Camping Hammock
The FIRINER Camping Hammock is ideal for camping or just enjoying a restful day in nature. It comes with a mosquito net and a large tarp in case it rains.
This is more than just a hammock. It comes with a fully zippable mosquito net that will keep you safe from biting insects while you sleep. The upgraded tarp has been enlarged so you can convert it into a mini shelter.
The FIRINER Camping hammock is made from strong, lightweight, and waterproof materials. So, you can take it along with you, rain or shine.
Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent
If you prefer a more traditional solution, this insect repellent lotion by Sawyer is my best option for you. The solution comes with 20% Picaridin which provides added protection against biting flies.
Apply evenly on exposed skin to get protected from mosquitoes by up to 14 hours. This insect repellent lotion is specially formulated to be hypo allergenic for the entire family.
WoneNice Hammock with Mosquito Net
Nothing gives you better relaxation than sleeping on a hammock. WoneNice Hammock comes with a mosquito net to make sure that you don’t get interrupted from your beauty rest. It’s easy to fold and set up which means you can use it on your patio or backyard whenever you’re up to it. It is made of lightweight nylon for durability and portability.
The package comes with tree straps so that you can use it right away. The mosquito net also has its own set of straps so that it stays upright for better protection.
Tiki BiteFighter Torch Fuel
Tiki Torches are quite effective in improving the ambience of the environment and keeping bugs at bay at the same time. Added with a specially formulated fuel, these charming light sources can help keep mosquitoes away from your campsite.
The Tiki Brand is one of the most well-known and trusted names in the tiki tiki torch mosquito fuel industry. The fuel is a potent mix of citronella and cedar that can effectively repel mosquitoes. The bottle comes with an easy pour system so that you won’t have trouble refilling those canisters for your tiki torches.
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