Insect Protection in the Great Out There
- Randy Reek, The Great Out There
- Feb 10, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 10
Nothing ruins The Great Out There faster than biting bugs! Check out these PROVEN methods of insect protection:
It is a rarity to find a campsite without bugs – especially at dusk and dawn.
I have enjoyed these blissful sites on several occasions, usually high in the mountains or out in the desert. There is a small "shoulder" season without bugs in late Fall here in the Midwest. Often, a breezy lakeshore is perfect in midsummer – until the sun goes down and the wind dies. Then you can hear the hum of an advancing army of mosquitos building in numbers and intensity.
Mountain biking in the summer requires an average speed of more than 10 miles per hour to stay ahead of the squadrons of deer flies. Canoeing or kayaking is often bug-free, until you reach the shore. Canoe portages are notorious for damp ground and still air that breeds mosquitos, and then concentrates them under the canoe and around your head as you sweat across the trail. Backpackers are often subjected to biting insects as sweat drips into their eyes (along with ticks and chiggers) from morning until night.
The best camping locations are usually synonymous with insect hatches of Biblical proportions. Minnesota and Wisconsin both laughingly name the mosquito the “State Bird”! I can attest that these pests don’t compare to their cousins farther north in Canada, the Yukon, and Alaska. Then there are the seasonal hatches of black flies, plus deer flies. Don't even get me started on the topic of chiggers in the South!
Flying, biting insects are the prime phobia for summer campers, particularly along lakes and rivers. Be prepared and you can overcome the hordes.
The first line of protection against biting insects is the proper clothing.
Lightweight, long sleeve shirts and long pants will be the best armor against biting bugs. You want a fabric that is light but hard enough to “bend” a mosquito’s beak! You don’t need to spend money on expensive “hiking” apparel – unless you want to. Durable, inexpensive work shirts fill the bill just fine. Some clothing brands now have shirts infused with repellant that is claimed to last up to 50 washings. You can accomplish the same thing by spraying your shirts, pants, and even tents with a few cents’ worth of Permethrin.
Next, you need to protect any exposed skin with an effective insect repellant. DEET is no longer the best-selling, most used product. DEET damages tents and waterproof clothing, eats the finishes on metal, and is absorbed into your skin! The BEST-SELLING, most highly recommended insect repellant is now Picaridin. This fragrance-free product is available in lotion and spray. It is safe for the whole family and has been proven MORE effective than DEET! Learn more below:
Protect yourself from insects with netting - head nets and bug suits.
When swarming bugs are horrific, sometimes you need to deploy a physical barrier. I have experienced the June black fly hatch in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area when these pests were so thick that eye lids and ears were targeted, and you could barely force a breath through your nose or mouth. The only option is mesh head nets and full “bug suits”.
The Original Bug Shirt was created by necessity in the wilds of Canada. When nothing else is effective, enclose yourself in this wearable screen tent!
All tents include insect screens. But most hammocks do not include bug protection. Thankfully, some hammock brands now include models with an attached canopy of mosquito netting. Some other hammocks can be enclosed in a separate bug net envelope.
For canoe and kayak camping in the Northwoods during peak bug seasons, I rely on the Haven Tent - a hammock, bug screen, and rain fly combination. NOTHING beats a great sleep, floating on air above the rough ground, with full protection from insect swarms!
SAVE 15% on your choice of Haven Tent models by following this link - CLICK HERE!
Stay inside the "Zone" for insect protection.
Finally, many people swear by the effectiveness of airborne repellants. One of the most popular options is the PROVEN Thermacell system. There are thousands of positive reviews for this insect repellant that is activated by a tiny fuel cartridge. My choice is the original, portable MR300 - which has been replaced with the improved "patio" model that creates a 15-foot bug-free bubble without DEET or obnoxious scents.
Camping in clouds of mosquitos, I have started my Thermacell under my hammock and waited 10 minutes to enjoy a bug-free "bubble" for getting dressed and eating breakfast. The insect protection is simply remarkable - and the price is less than $30.00!!!
For insect protection during the peak seasons on canoe and kayak trips, I now rely on the larger Thermacell that utilizes standard isobutane cannisters.
Normally, I prefer a simple and compact alcohol stove for rehydrated camping meals. A primary benefit is avoiding the gas cannisters required for standard stoves - and every camper accumulates a box of half empty cannisters. NOW - Thermacell uses these same cannisters to activate the repellent mat for insect protection!
Thermacell states that a standard 4-ounce isobutane cannister will activate the insect protection from the heated pad for 90 HOURS! This means that my large stock of partial cannisters will provide insect protection for me for YEARS of camping!
AND - my Thermacell is NOT just for camping! One of my favorite diversions is night fishing for catfish and bullheads during the first warm periods in June. The fish bite coincides with the explosion of insects. To make fishing pleasant, I erect a simple plow point tarp on the bank, build a fire in my tiny twig stove, and ignite the Thermacell. Sitting in a camp chair, feeding the fire, and listening for the bait clicker to signal another fish is a great way to welcome Summer! If you prefer night fishing in a boat, the Thermacell works equally well - if there is only a light evening breeze.
Your other option is one of the many variations of repellant candles, lanterns, coils, wicks, and sticks. There is no doubt that these are very effective – BUT you need a small area protected from the wind. OBVIOUSLY - use EXTREME care with open flames around tents!!!
Leave a comment on your results. What other secrets can you share to make The Great Out There more enjoyable? Visit The Great Out There for continued gear reviews and how-to articles on camping. Please also follow The Great Out There on Facebook and Instagram.
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