Everyone knows that summer is the time to get out in nature and camp. Unfortunately, this is also when the bugs tend to come out, something that can make your summer camping trips a little less fun. After all, who wants to walk around with dozens of mosquito bites or deal with constantly batting flies off their arms and legs?

Sure, you could layer on the chemical-laden bug spray and keep them away, but many people would rather not expose their skin to the stuff. Besides, these types of bug sprays won’t keep the little pests away from your food or out of your RV.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural remedies for keeping bugs at bay. Use these to avoid chemicals, keep your campsite insect-free, and thoroughly enjoy your next camping trip.

Make Use of Fire

Fire is surprisingly useful for keeping bugs away. Light a campfire or set out some lit citronella candles. Either way, you’re sure to see a decrease in bugs, and if you sit close enough to the flame, they’ll likely stop bothering you.

Change Out Your Lights

Traditional lighting tends to attract insects. Try replacing your traditional outdoor lights with LED lights. These won’t draw the bugs toward your rig, meaning you can better enjoy your evenings outside.

On top of that, LED lights use less electricity and put off less heat—both major bonuses to those who are camping in the summer, especially those who are boondocking.

Cover Up

Dressing in long pants and long sleeves may seem miserable, but it’s not actually as bad as you might think, and it is one of the most effective ways to keep tiny pests off your skin. Just reach for loose-fitting, light-colored garments and you’ll be plenty cool enough and bug-free. As an added bonus, you’ll also be protected from sunburn.

Another way to cover up without wearing more clothing is to set up a screen tent. This is an ideal solution for mealtimes when the flies may be especially keen to join you and share in your food.

Try Repellent Alternatives

Sometimes, simply finding a good chemical repellent alternative is a perfectly fine solution to this problem. Many people use baby oil for this purpose, and it seems to work quite well. Bracelets like these are another great option. Finally, there is the option of using essential oils.

The following oils are ideal for this purpose:

• Citronella
• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Basil
• Clove
• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Geranium

Grab a Fan

Lots of campers like to set up an oscillating fan to keep the air moving and stay cool while outdoors. What many of them don’t know is that this is actually an effective way to keep flying bugs away. The moving air makes it more difficult for them to fly near your site, encouraging them to stay back.

Shower Often

Lastly, we must mention the simple option of showering more often. This isn’t 100% effective, but it does help a little. You see, many bugs are attracted to sweat, something that does tend to accumulate during summer camping trips.

By showering daily, you remove some of that sweat, making yourself less attractive to many insects.

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About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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