Dealing With Insects and Tents
Camping or hiking out in the wilderness is bound to
bring its fair share of hazards, mostly from the environment itself, which
can be a harsh and unforgiving factor.
One of the primary sources of irritation, if not danger, in the great
outdoors, is the presence of its smallest non-human inhabitants, the insects
that inevitably find their way into your otherwise peaceful campsite.
When pitching your tent in the middle of what really is the territory
of these tiny but terrible creatures, it is highly recommended that you make
the necessary precautions to prevent being driven away by the natives.
Insects are common pests to contend with, ranging from
pesky flies and mosquitoes to more troublesome wasps and other aggressive
nasties, especially in warmer weather.
You would be best advised to take along a can or stick of insect
repellent on your trip. Those
containing a chemical known as DEET are supposed to be some of the best
available, but if you aren’t willing to deal with its pungent fragrance, you
may instead select a non-DEET variant.
Aside from spraying around your general tent area, you should also
lightly apply some repellent on your clothing to ward off smaller insects,
such as ticks, that can penetrate clothing.
Speaking of clothing, you should avoid exposing too much skin out in
the wild, and wear long-sleeved attire and a sensible hat to reduce your
chances of getting bitten.
Citronella candles and mosquito coils also provide
satisfactory results, giving off an aroma that most flying little critters
despise. Place them outside of
your tent to ward off pests, but remember to extinguish them before going to
bed so that you do not risk starting an uncontrolled fire.
When pitching your tent, try not to set it up near
stagnant water, such as next to a lake or river bank.
These areas are prime spawning grounds for mosquitoes and other
insects, who won’t take kindly to the invasion of their territory.
Try to keep food outside of the tent so that its scent
does not attract insects. When
you are finished eating, make sure to dispose of your rubbish in garbage
bags that can be sealed tightly to avoid leaving a festering area in which
insects will gather. You will be
surprised at the speed with which ants can swarm an untended campsite that
has scraps of food lying negligently about.
You should keep your tent zipped up as much as possible, especially when you’ve pitched it and intend to be away from the campsite for long periods of time, so that the flying fiends don’t make their way into the tent. Plenty of tents come with a mosquito mesh inner door that allows you to see through and breathe while shielding you from insects. If you anticipate that additional pest control may be necessary, you can purchase a mosquito net that you can drape over your sleeping corner for extra protection. Lastly, consider hanging a lantern some distance from your tent; light sources tend to attract insects and will keep them from converging around your tent.
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