Unfortunately, when you are camping, you are spending the night in the mosquitoes backyard. They will do everything they can to take a sampling of you when you aren’t looking. The good news is that there are plenty of products to repel them and some tactics to take around your campsite to keep them away.
We’ve heard of many that people are happy with. Most choose a product like OFF! or use some form of Deet spray. More often, however, we are hearing people voice concerns over the chemicals these products are made from and they seek a more natural approach.
For natural products, we have seen people use Avon’s Skin-so-Soft quite successfully. Many of them swear by it and carry it every where. You might also try Beat It! which is a natural insect repellent. It is Deet-free and lasts up to 8 hours. It is advertised as being effective against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, black flies, no-see-ums, and a host of other biting pests.
We’ve seen an increase in the use of mosquito repellent bracelets, especially for kids. They do not contain Deet and come with a 100% guarantee and 30 day refund if you are not satisfied. You can wear them for two or three days before changing them or store them back in their resealable pouch when not in use.
There are some good old fashioned formulas that people swear by as well. We’ve seen spray bottles of water and peppermint oil, straight white vinegar, or Listerine. Some people tuck Bounce dryer sheets in their collar, cuffs, and socks. We’ve even heard that eating a clove of garlic a day will keep the mosquitoes away.
One thing is certain, however, mosquitoes love standing water so check your campsite regularly for water that is lying in small puddles and keep things dry. You can also try not getting to warm. When you get hot you exhale more carbon dioxide which attracts mosquitoes. So wearing light colored clothing will also keep you cool and keep the little buggers away.
You can also burn citronella candles around your campsite. Many people believe it helps. We hope you get through your whole camping trip without the mosquitoes even knowing you were here.