Tips on Which Bugs to Avoid While Camping
Most campsites are surrounded by spectacular scenery including trees, mountains and fresh air. This is part of the allure of camping. Although getting back to nature can be a great adventure, there are insects living amongst that great scenery which can hinder the camping experience. Here are some camping tips to help recognize these campsite pests and how to avoid them.
Mosquitoes
A mosquito’s sting is more annoying than painful, but it can still be harmful. You will probably not suffer any serious injuries, but depending on your location, there can still be a risk of illness or worse.
It is not well understood what attracts mosquitoes. Some research suggests various things like body heat, the carbon dioxide we exhale, perspiration, or even that mosquitoes can sense our heartbeats. As much as we would like to prevent it, we have little control over the attraction of mosquitoes.
Fortunately there are some products that help repel them. Certain sprays containing Deet can be very effective as well as safe when used correctly. Be sure to check the can for proper instructions and use smaller amounts for children. Citronella candles have become another popular product for keeping mosquitoes at bay. However, if there is a strong wind, they are not as effective.
Yellow Jackets and Wasps
If you’re camping in an area with a lot of evergreen trees, you may come across several yellow jackets or other species of wasp. Some wasps may make nests in trees, but also be watchful of awnings on building structures since they are common nest locations. Also, if you notice a dime size hole in the ground, this could be the entrance to an underground nest. Wasps usually make nests in late spring or early summer and are active outside the nest from early morning to late afternoon.
Even though wasps are not overly aggressive, you can increase the possibility of a sting if you come to close to the nest and disturb the colony. Unfortunately, you do not have to approach them to increase the risk of a sting. They will come to you if given the right incentive. If you are cooking meat or have an open soda can around, several wasps will probably pay you a visit. They are attracted to sugar water, the smell of cooking meat and other products that we humans keep around. As long as you see them you may be safe, but it’s the ones you don’t see that you can inadvertently contact resulting in a sting.
The Wasp Nest
Even though a can of wasp spray is a good item to bring camping, you will not always need it when dealing with a wasp nest. If you can see the honeycomb cells and an egg sac or two inside, it is still in the early stages of construction. If you knock this down with a stick, the wasp will just fly away to begin building somewhere else.
On the other hand, if there is only a small hole in an otherwise enclosed nest, the last thing you want to do is hit it with a stick unless you want to release a lot of angry wasps. You are best to stay a long distance away, but if you must deal with it, use a can of wasp spray and try to accurately spray the opening in the nest.
Spiders
Spiders usually shy away from contact with people, but they will still bite if threatened. Spiders like the Black Widow and Violin spider tend to stay in dark cool places with cellars and basements being the preferred locations. If you should happen to see a funnel shaped web, you should leave it alone and move on.
Ticks
Another common insect in wooded areas is the tick. The best defense against ticks is to wear long pants and long sleeve shirts. Ticks are not normally a health hazard since the chances of getting Lyme disease are slim, but it is still a possibility. At least ticks tend to attach themselves more to animals than humans, which may be a problem for any canine companion you bring along.
Research and Prepare
Camping is often all about “getting back to nature” and everything that comes with it. Insects, bugs, pests, or whatever you wish to call them, are part of the camping experience. To avoid an unpleasant trip, you should do some research about the most common insects at your camping location.