A More Comfortable Night Outdoors
Camping can be relaxing, refreshing, and a great way to enjoy nature, that is, until bugs join the picture. To prevent your camping trip from being ruined by pesky bugs and bites, here are five ways to keep them out of your tent.
1. Keep Your Tent Zipped At All Times
The easiest way to keep bugs out is to make sure your tent stays fully zipped whenever you’re not entering or leaving. It might be annoying at first, but even a small opening can give mosquitoes, flies, and other insects a chance to sneak inside.
2. Choose A Smart Campsite
Where you set up your tent can actually make a big difference in how many bugs you deal with. To avoid as many bugs as possible, pitch your tent away from standing water, trash bins, damp grass, or thick brush, since these areas often attract insects. A dry, open spot with decent airflow is usually a much better choice.
3. Keep Food Away From Your Sleeping Area
Clean up after yourself! Food crumbs, wrappers, and sweet drinks bring bugs right to your tent. Make sure you store all your food in sealed containers and keep it away from where you sleep, especially overnight.
4. Use Bug Repellent Around Your Campsite
A good bug repellent can help reduce the number of insects hanging around your tent. Apply personal repellent as directed, and consider using campsite-safe options like citronella candles or approved bug sprays in the surrounding area to keep them further at bay.
5. Check Your Gear Before Going Inside
Before entering your tent, do a quick sweep of your body. Bugs can hitch a ride on shoes, backpacks, jackets, and blankets without much effort. This small step can prevent a surprising number of unwanted visitors from joining you at bedtime.
