DIY Life

Summer camping really blurs the line between outdoors and indoors. That's a good thing ... most of the time. I'm a pretty nature-loving kind of person, but even so I hate dealing with flying and scuttling insects up in my face all the time. Hate it when bugs invade your campsite? Here are a few tips to keep them at bay!

1. Don't pitch your tent near standing water since this is where many flying insects prefer to live and breed. Kind of obvious, but worth stating up front.

2. Pitch your tent facing into the breeze so flying insects are unable to congregate around the entrance. If the weather is warm and winds are not too strong, try an exposed site where the breeze can really help you out with bug control.3. Bugs love flashlights. Switch your light or lantern off when entering your tent or camper. Yes, it's kind of a pain but so worthwhile. If you're in a tent, keep the main light source away from the door if possible.

4. Insects are repelled by flame, so a nice campfire blaze (night or day) will help keep bugs out of the people zone. Obviously, the trick is to keep the fire close to your campsite, but not dangerously close to your tent or camper!

5. Spray your tent or camper entrance way down with insect repellent. This is an effective, but temporary, fix. In the case of DEET-based repellents, you have to live with the noxious chemical smell and health concerns also. However, nothing works like DEET when mosquitoes are biting in swarms!

6. If there's room, bring along mosquito coils or citronella candles.

7. Some swear that raw onions and garlic deter flying insects like mosquitoes. So give it a try: if you brought them with you for cooking, hang them up in or around your tent or camper. Worth a try, right?

8. Burn or bury food scraps, and avoid eating inside your tent. Store foods outside your tent, if possible, and keep them in air-proof containers. Oh, and avoid leaving uncovered foods, particularly sugary foods and beverages such as soda, lying around. This helps keep ants and flies away.

For more bug banishing tips, check out my post How to Picnic Bug-Free.