How to Deal with Mosquitoes on Camping Trips

February 21, 2020

tent beside a man making a fire while camping in the mountains at sunset

If you’re camping in warm weather, chances are you’ll encounter some mosquitoes. Get a few tips from senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson on how to deal with these pests.

“Johnson recommends picking a bug spray with DEET, a chemical ingredient used by manufacturers for years. When choosing a formula, there is no need to buy a solution that is made up of more than than 50 percent DEET. ‘We tend to think more is better, and that’s not necessarily the case,’ says Johnson. ‘The percent is not how well it will actually keep bugs away from you but rather how long it will last. It’s a lot like the SPF factor on sunscreen,’…

In the end, it doesn’t matter how many insect repellent lanterns you set out, there’s no way to completely avoid mosquitoes—they’re just a part of the great outdoors. ‘You can choose to be bothered, and you can choose to be less bothered,’ says Johnson. ‘Your attitude goes a long way to dictating what your experience is like.’”

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Written By

Brooke Ortel

Brooke is a runner and writer who enjoys finding adventure in the everyday. True to her island roots, she loves sunshine, that salty ocean smell, and the sound of waves against the shore.