Prevent Mosquitoes Naturally While Camping

Campers do not need to fear the mosquito. Cover up when mosquitoes are at their worst. Usenatural and herbal mosquito repellents for further protection.

There is no doubt that mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable camping experience. Still, thethought of using chemical insect repellents is not pleasant. Fortunately, it's possible to preventmosquito attacks while camping using common sense and natural insect repellents.

Mosquitoes Bug Campers the Most at Dusk

Mosquitoes are most likely to attack campers at dawn and dusk. Dusk is usually the time thatcampers are making dinner, building the campfire and getting ready for nighttime. It can be hard tostay indoors out of the mosquitoes' reach. This is a good time to cover up. Change into long pants,long-sleeved shirts and socks and shoes. Hats also help protect the head and neck area frommosquitoes. If the mosquitoes are really thick, it might be prudent to wear a hat with built-inmosquito netting.

To keep mosquitoes out of sleeping areas, be sure to zip tents and close the camping trailer's doorsand windows. Mosquitoes will quickly find their way into an unzipped tent before the campers areaware they are a problem. Avoid opening sleeping areas at dusk unless necessary and always closethem immediately to prevent mosquitoes from finding their way indoors.

Herbal Help to Prevent Mosquito Attacks

According to an August/September 2007 on-line article in Mother Earth News, lemon balm is anatural mosquito repellent. Simply pick fresh lemon balm, crush it gently and rub the leaves onexposed skin. Lemon balm leaves can also be thrown on a campfire to deter mosquitoes. Bringing alarge, potted lemon balm plant to the campsite would suite these needs. Or, pick large quantities oflemon balm before camping and store in a plastic bag in the cooler to retain freshness.

The website Garlic Central suggests that garlic is also a well-known mosquito deterrent. Somepeople begin adding raw garlic to the diet a few weeks before a camping trip. Others opt to use oneof the commercially available garlic-based insect repellents.

To further deter mosquitoes, bring a Mosquito Shoo Geranium to the campsite. The on-linegardening site, Direct Gardening, states that this geranium has been biogenetically engineered torepel mosquitoes. Place it on the picnic table to keep mosquitoes away at dinnertime.

Mosquitoes don't have to ruin a perfectly good camping trip. Use natural, herbal repellents andcover up with long clothing, hats and mosquito netting to protect campers from mosquito bites.Likely, no one of these mosquito repellents would work perfectly on its own. For the best protection,employ several natural mosquito repellents and enjoy the camping trip.

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