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How to Keep Bugs Away at the Campground

January 31, 2024

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There’s no way around it: You’ll encounter plenty of bugs during your camping adventures. At best, they’re a slight annoyance. At their worst, they can spread dangerous diseases like Lyme. But there are ways to mitigate insects, along with any risks they bring, from your outdoor experience. Here are tried-and-tested tips on how to get rid of bugs while camping.

Tips for Keeping the Bugs Away While Camping

Choose the Right Campsite

When reserving your campsite, look for a site that’s located away from water, like ponds, to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area. Find a spot with plenty of space to park your rig away from tall grass and dense brush where bugs like to live.

Get Comfortable With Screen Time

Ensure that screens on your RV windows and doors are free from holes that allow insects inside. If repairs are necessary, choose screens with mesh that’s fine enough to keep bugs from getting through.

Teardrop camper with door open and magnetic screen door installed — Photo: Kerry Sainato

If your RV didn’t come with a screen for your door, consider purchasing an easy-to-install, aftermarket magnetic screen door. This will help keep a cool breeze flowing through your RV while acting as a barrier for bugs. Additionally, a canopy with screen panels allows you to eat and relax outdoors even in the most buggy times. It also has the added benefit of protecting you from sun and rain.

Wear Clothes That Cover

When it’s particularly buggy, cover your body with long sleeves and pants. And remember that the thicker the material, the harder it is for mosquitoes to bite through your clothing.

See also 7mm-08 Remington for Elk Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Elk Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the 7mm-08 Remington a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the elk, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the elk in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a elk in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the 7mm-08 Remington within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber 7mm-08 Remington Animal Species Elk Muzzle Energy 2450 foot-pounds Animal Weight 720 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington round is approximately 2450 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male elk? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male elk is approximately 720 lbs. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the 7mm-08 Remington. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the elk being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk - and to this question, the response again is yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 1 Comments Ted - Aug 28, 2024Shot placement is the key. I find most 140(139) grain bullets serve me well. Hunting should be fair chase. Sniping at 400+ yards is not hunting. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

When hiking in dense woods, tuck your pant legs into your socks and boots to prevent bugs like ticks from latching on. Wearing a hat with mosquito netting offers extra protection.

Keep a Lid on Food

Keep flies, bees, and ants at bay by making sure your food is sealed and packed tightly. If possible, transfer foods from cardboard to tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.

Repel With Protection

There are many different application options for bug repellent, including spray, cream, or wipes. Find a bug solution that works well for you and your family.

A study by the Journal of Insect Science found that repellents with 30 percent lemon eucalyptus oil or 98 percent DEET produced the best reductions in mosquito attraction at a distance around 3 feet.

Keep Fido Safe

Make sure your furry travel companions are up-to-date with their Lyme vaccines, and apply flea and tick treatments as directed by your vet. Check your dog regularly for ticks so they don’t spread the parasites to you and your family by bringing them inside your RV.

The Best Products for Repelling Bugs When Camping

Various brands of bug repellent wipes and sprays in an outdoor setting — Photo: Kerry Sainato

DEET Insect Repellent

The study by the Journal of Insect Science confirmed that repellents withDEET are the best bug sprays for camping. DEET is also proven to be very safe for external use and isn’t considered harmful for the environment. Ben’s 100 Insect Repellent offers a fragrance-free formula with 10 hours of protection.

Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

The most natural bug spray option that works is a repellent that contains lemon eucalyptus oil. Cutter offers a popular, highly-rated option that has a fresh, clean scent and lasts up to 6 hours.

See also Palomino Trout: What Are They and How to Catch Them

Mosquito Repellent Balm

For another lemon eucalyptus oil option, try Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm. It’s a pocket-sized balm that’s perfect for taking on buggy hikes. The natural balm is made with olive oil, beeswax, and other natural repellent oils, which makes for a smooth, non-greasy, and great smelling bug repellent option.

Pretreated Clothing

The brand Insect Shield makes clothing, socks, and pet gear that protects against an array of biting bugs, including mosquitos, tickets, and chiggers. An odorless bug repellent is built into the garment and lasts through about 70 washings.

Wearable Mosquito Repellent

The OFF! Clip-On mosquito repellent was the only wearable device that kept mosquitos away in the Journal of Insect Science study. If you want on-the-go protection without applying repellent to your skin, this wearable option is a great choice.

Mosquito repelling lantern on arm of camp chair overlooking a lake — Photo: Kerry Sainato

Cartridge Mosquito Repelling Devices

Hate coating yourself in bug spray? Thermacell sellsan array of products that keep bugs away without dousing your clothes and skin. Its products are powered by a safe fuel cartridge that heats a repellent mat and creates a 15-foot mosquito-free zone into the surrounding air. Many campers favor the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern because it provides both a light source and a bug-repellent solution. The Thermacell MR300 is a more minimalist product for those only looking for bug protection.

Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks

These low-tech, natural incense stickswork for up to 45 minutes and create a bug-free zone wherever you burn them. Light several at once to create a wider bug-free area.

Device with fan that repels mosquitos sitting on ledge with group of people gathered at a campsite — Photo: Kerry Sainato

Don’t let pesky bugs keep you from enjoying nature. Use this advice and product recommendations to help keep bugs from driving you back into your RV.