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Home Pest Control


8 CAMPING PESTS TO WATCH OUT FOR


Karuna EberlUpdated: Aug. 26, 2022
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FROM EATING YOUR FOOD TO DRINKING YOUR BLOOD, HERE'S HOW TO PREVENT CAMPING
PESTS FROM DAMPENING YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES.

Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated
or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of
publication.

1 / 8

Tevarak Phanduang/Getty Images


MOSQUITOES

No matter where you live, mosquitos are common outdoor companions. “Mosquitoes
are one of the most annoying insects, and they’re especially bad when you’re
camping,” says Nicholas Kilby of Think Wild.

Start by choosing your campsite wisely. Avoid areas with standing or stagnant
water like ponds, puddles and marshes. Also, seek places prone to breezes, which
can prevent mosquitoes from swarming.

To further keep them at bay, you’ll likely need a combination of the following:

 * Clothing: Wear loose clothing to cover up exposed skin. A recent study also
   suggests clothing color can make a difference. Green, purple, blue and white
   seem to deter mosquitoes, while red, orange, black and cyan attract them.
   Other studies have shown that stinky items like unwashed socks attract them
   as well.
 * Chemical repellents: DEET and permethrin are usually effective but can cause
   allergic reactions and harm the environment, so try to use them in
   moderation. “DEET can corrode valuable camping equipment and prolonged
   exposure to high concentrations of permethrin has been linked to different
   types of cancer,” says Kilby.
 * Natural repellents: Scents like citronella and eucalyptus can help keep
   mosquitoes away without harsh chemicals. “However, these methods don’t
   usually work when the mosquitoes are really bad,” says Kilby.
 * Bug-repellant clothes: Some clothing lines are made from or treated with
   insect repellants. “Exofficio is one of my favorite bug-repellent clothing
   brands,” Kilby says, “and Sawyer makes great bug repellant for your skin and
   clothing that will not damage your gear.”
 * Smoke: Smoke from a small fire can bring some relief. But never leave a fire
   untended, and extinguish it properly to prevent wildfires.

Once you’re bitten, resist the urge to scratch. Scratching increases your
histamine response, which makes the bite itch more. And once the skin is broken,
you risk infection. An anti-itch cream can help.

Why do mosquitoes even exist? “Mosquitos play an important role in the
ecosystem, some species serving as important pollinators,” says Susan Getty,
Public Policy Specialist, Wildlife at the Humane Society of the United States.
They’re also a vital food source for certain birds, bats, fish, dragonflies,
frogs and others.

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, there are roughly
175 mosquito species in the U.S. Few transmit disease, although it’s still a
good idea to avoid getting bitten.

2 / 8

Frederic Cerez/Getty Images


FLIES, WASPS AND ANTS

Unlike mosquitoes, flies, wasps and ants are more attracted to your food than
your skin. Chemical and natural repellents can deter them, but not always
reliably. Here are some better solutions:

 * Clean up meals and cooking surfaces promptly.
 * Camp away from their natural food sources, like manure, decomposing logs and
   flowering bushes.
 * Check trees, logs, man-made structures and the ground for wasp and ant nests
   before pitching your tent.
 * For flies, keep a small, smoky fire burning while at camp and extinguish it
   properly each time you leave, to prevent wildfires.

If you see honeybees and bumblebees, be kind and remember they’re more
interested in flowers than you.

ADVERTISEMENT



3 / 8

Santiago Urquijo/Getty Images


TICKS

“Ticks are not only nasty blood sucking parasites, but probably more unsettling
are the many diseases that ticks carry and transmit to humans,” says Kilby.
Depending on what part of the country you’re in, those could include Lyme
disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

To lessen your chances of an unwelcome camping blood-sucker:

 * Wear long sleeves and pants.
 * Tuck your pants into your socks, so it’s harder for ticks to get on your
   skin.
 * Walk in the middle of the trail, away from tall grasses and heavily wooded
   areas.
 * Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot them on you more easily.
 * Use repellents like DEET, picardin and permethrin. “All similar to mosquito
   products, but I would add DEET spray, because I don’t mess around with
   ticks!” says Kilby.
 * Check yourself, children and pets frequently for ticks, including exposed and
   clothed parts of the body. Ticks will hang on to clothing and gear and attach
   to humans or pets later.

Ticks are likely to attach themselves to moist, warm areas like armpits, behind
the knees, under head hair and around the ears and genitalia. If one does get
attached, remove it immediately. If the head breaks off in your body, seek
medical attention.

Also, take a photo and keep the tick in a bag or wrapped in a piece of tape so
doctors can analyze it if you do get sick.

4 / 8

Zsuzsanna Jenei/Getty Images


SMALL MAMMALS

Mice, squirrels, chipmunks, wood rats, raccoons, opossums and pikas each have
their wild habits and agendas. However, they’re consistent on one thing — your
camping food provides easy calories.

“Squirrels have also been known to get into toothpaste, sweet-scented
deodorants, and even chew on wires in your car if you let it sit for too long,”
says Kilby.

To discourage them:

 * Do not feed them. No matter how cute those chipmunks are, feeding encourages
   them to seek out more food from humans, which can make them aggressive. “Fed
   animals are sometimes killed by management authorities due to their
   developed, unwanted behavior,” says Getty. The wrong foods can also hurt them
   physically and make them unprepared for winter.
 * Keep food, garbage and scented items secured in a car or sealed container,
   like a hard-plastic tote with a sealing and locking lid. “Zip locks do not
   work and squirrels will chew through backpacks in order to get to food,” says
   Kilby.
 * Wash dishes thoroughly in an area away from where you sleep, and keep a clean
   camp. “Clean up those s’more remnants in the fire pit!” says Getty. “And
   remember, they can climb and dig, so don’t bury trash.”

If rodents get into your food, do not eat anything they may have nibbled or
defecated on, since they can carry diseases like hantavirus and bubonic plague.
Wash and disinfect all surfaces they may have come in contact with.

If they get into your car or camper, remove anything that might be attracting
them (including pet food). Seal up any holes as small as a quarter, and spray a
water-peppermint oil or water-eucalyptus oil perimeter around the doors and
other openings. Here are some more tips on rats, from the Humane Society of the
United States.

5 / 8

Josh Miller/Getty Images


BEARS

From Florida to California, bears’ amazing sense of smell sometimes leads them
to campgrounds. “Bears can smell better than a bloodhound and are attracted to
that which you may not expect, like perfume, lotion and citronella candles,”
says Getty. Regular storage containers are no match for their strength and
problem-solving abilities.

If you’re camping in bear country:

 * Follow local guidelines about hanging or locking away food in a secure
   location.
 * Ideally, keep attractants in designated bear-proof boxes and garbage bins,
   not in your car.
 * If there are no bear boxes available, store food and garbage in your car or
   hard-sided camper. “Make sure your car is locked when you go to sleep or
   leave for the day because bears have been able to open car doors to get to
   food,” says Kilby.
 * If you’re tent camping, store all food, snacks, toiletries, sunscreen,
   candles, insect repellents and the clothes you cooked in outside your tent in
   bear-safe containers. Never eat in your tent.
 * Carry bear spray and learn how to use it before going out.

Bear-human encounters are scary. They’re usually worse for the bear, because
wildlife officials often have to kill them if they’ve become comfortable
foraging from people.

If a bear does enter your campsite, remember they are likely not after you, just
your garbage and food. Follow these recommendations from the U.S. Forest
Service.



6 / 8

Bill Swindaman/Getty Images


SNAKES

The best way to avoid a snake encounter is to pick a camping spot away from rock
or log piles, or areas of heavy brush where snakes might be living. Also avoid
camping next to a water source. “Note that snake repellents do not work,” says
Getty.

Most snakes are shy and not venomous. But because they’re cold-blooded, all
snakes can be tempted by the warmth of a human in a sleeping bag. To prevent an
unwanted snuggler, always keep your tent zipped with the pulls at the top of the
door, not the bottom, where a snake can push them open with its head.

If you see a snake in camp, give it some space and it will likely soon be on its
way. Try to identify whether it’s venomous so you know if it’s a threat to your
safety. If it is, ask a park ranger or campground host to help remove it. If
you’re bitten, follow these guidelines from the U.S. Forest Service and seek
medical attention immediately.

Here are more tips on how to remove snakes from the Humane Society of the United
States.

7 / 8

jennifer m. ramos/Getty Images


SPIDERS

Spiders are wonderful for our ecosystems, but terrible to share a tent with. To
keep them out of your private space:

 * Keep your tent zipped with the pulls near the top of the door, where spiders
   are less likely to wander in.
 * Spray the perimeter of your tent or camper doors with bug spray or a solution
   of peppermint, tea tree or eucalyptus oil (10 to 30 drops in a bottle of
   water).
 * Repair any holes in your screens or walls.
 * Check your stored camping gear for spiders before you pack it in your car.

Also, if you’re in scorpion territory, follow the snake advice above to prevent
encounters. “Like snakes, scorpions love dark hiding places, so keep your
clothes and pack off the ground, and check your shoes, sleeping bag and tent
before use,” says Getty.


8 / 8

Ed Reschke/Getty Images


POISONOUS PLANTS

While campgrounds try to eradicate poisonous plants, it’s likely you may still
encounter one. Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and poisonwood can all cause
painful rashes.

Learn to identify the ones in your area. When in doubt, ask a park ranger or
campground host. Research how to treat the plants particular to your area prior
to your trip in case you lack cell service at the campsite.


 
Originally Published: August 19, 2022




Karuna Eberl
Karuna writes about wildlife, nature, history and travel for magazines,
newspapers and websites including National Geographic, National Parks, Discovery
Channel, Atlas Obscura and the High Country News. She's also produced a number
of independent films and directed the documentary The Guerrero Project, about
the search for a sunken slave ship. She and her husband, Steve, wrote an
award-winning guidebook to the Florida Keys and are currently completely
renovating an abandoned house in a ghost town. She holds a B.A. in journalism
and geology from the University of Montana. Member of OWAA, SATW.

 



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