Perhaps one of the most un-enjoyable parts to any outdoor RV trip is the inevitable barrage of bugs that come with the heat of summer. If you find that you walk away from your trip covered in those itchy little spots, chances are you are not taking full advantage of the options for repelling bugs.
Basic Tips:
Mosquitoes — and many other small, biting bugs — love standing water. Ponds, puddles, forgotten buckets, small lakes; all of these things are going to be hotbeds for the nasty
nibblers. In fact, female mosquitos have been known to lay
eggs in everything from rain gutters to pet dishes, thus perpetuating the cycle. If at all possible, avoid any body of standing water that you can.
Repellent Guide
There are several main ways to keep the mosquitoes that are around you at bay. Five of which, you are probably aware of. Those five being;
- Mosquito Chemical Repellents
- Bug Zappers
- Mosquito Lamps or Lanterns
- Wristbands
- Permethrin Clothing
Chemical repellants are probably going to be your first line of defense. However, it is important to remain vigilant when applying it, particularly if it is heavy in chemicals. Over application can contribute to rashes and other skin-based diseases.
Bug Zappers, though not effective on all types of mosquitos, are a good way to control a local population. Placing one on the edge of your campsite or away from your main hub will draw many bugs away. However, it can be loud and, in some cases, annoying to look at.
Lamps, candles, lanterns and other things can use chemicals to create a radial effect, keeping bugs away from a central hub. These do not always work as well as you might like, but combining them with one or more of the other methods can ultimately create a means by which to keep bugs out entirely.
A someone lesser known tactic is to employ various wearable materials that can exude a scent that will draw mosquitoes away. They are best used on hiking trips or long treks
A more expensive way is to use Permethrin clothing, which consists of an repellent-infused fabric that keeps bugs away. What is more is that it can hold the chemical for multiple washings, so you can use it many times before it is no longer working.
There are many ways by which to keep bugs away. Use one and then try the next to see what works best for you. Use two or three together even, if you want to live a bug-free life on your RV trip. In this way, you don’t have to worry about your lovely RV trip being ruined by a couple itchy bites.
