Keeping campsite mosquitos at bay?

[wahoowad]

We’re expanding our camping seasons to include summer trips where previously we avoided it due to heat, humidity but most especially mosquitos. Some of you likely have it worse, but even here in Virginia they can really get bad. I’m curious if any of you have found any products or solutions that actually keep them away aside from applying some kind of body spray (which I just hate doing) or staying in a netted shelter.

My backyard is heavily wooded and I burn a citronella candle while hanging out on my back porch. I don’t know why I do it because it doesn’t seem to work . I guess I do it because I somehow hope it helps a little, but when they really start eating me up I eventually turn on my Thermacell device. Now these Thermacell things 100% actually work, but they can be pretty pricey to operate as each consumable pad lasts about 3 hours. So it certainly remains an option for me but running it most the day on a multi-day camping trip is an expense I’d like to avoid.

The best solution for us has been to keep a campfire going as the smoke can be great at keeping the mosquitos away. But in summer a hot campfire isn’t otherwise really needed and a bit of a bother. With another trip coming up this weekend I thought I’d ask around. Plan B might be to buy a can or two of ‘backyard fogger’ style spray to fog the brushy undergrowth around the perimeter of the campsite. I hate to spray the chemicals out in nature but I guess it is only harming the mosquitos

 

[Anak]

I have found that using LED lanterns draws in far fewer mosquitos than using Coleman lanterns. Part of this is due to the color temperature of the light, but another part of this is due to the CO2 emitted by the Coleman lanterns, but not by the LED lanterns. It might be worth it to try doing the opposite of what I am doing, but place the Coleman lantern (or several, spread in a perimeter) at a distance from your site. It might be that you could keep the mosquitos focused on the lanterns while you enjoy some relative peace.

Alternatively, you are probably looking at dunking yourself in DEET or setting up a canopy with bug screens all the way around.

 

[AZHICAUTCO]

I've been using the Thermacell products with pretty good sucess. They say they are good for 15'. I usually use two for a campsite area. Another suggestion a friend has tried is a lantern away from your campsite to lure the skeeters away from your site.

 

[The other Sean]

I am also a big fan of the Thermacell. I actually use my almost daily on my front patio in the evenings at home. I normally don't use any bug spray.

With that said, some good bug spray is going to be key. I'm a person that mosquitos love, so I have found different sprays work better than others. I'm a fan of Deep Woods off. I actually keep one can in each door pocket of my truck all summer.

 

[KonzaLander]

I am not a fan of "bug spray" but I have not found a suitable alternative that is as effective. Wearing full length light weight clothing that has been soaked in permethrin with a net over my head works well, but I don't like the netting.

I am shocked to see such success with the Thermacell. I tried to use one a few weeks ago in Colorado and the mosquitoes were practically landing on it. Maybe I was using it wrong (insert pad, turn to on, light, check for orange glow and place on table).

 

[adventure_is_necessary]

Sage, rosemary, tea tree oil, and some others seems to repel mosquitos. We have looks at planting sage around our home, but also making a spray using these essential oils. I have heard burning sage and rosemary should repel mosquitoes as well. I know tea tree oil works well for mosquito bites, but I ahve also noticed that if I apply some around the common bite areas ahead of time, that they steer clear of me. I still have a citronella candle for the porch, but have strongly considered a thermocell as I have heard good things on them, at least that they work well the more you use them. I may just stick with my essential oil mix and bring some sage/rosemary for the grill and fire.

 

[RJCanyon]

this may sound odd but buy yourself a citronella plant and put it in a portable pot. we planted some in our back yard and it has been very successful. almost non existent

 

[bmwguru]

I have and use a Thermacell as well. I also recently picked up some of this. It's a lotion and has pretty much zero odor. No deet and it works on mosquitos and ticks. I've used it and it works very well for mosquitos.

 

[RoarinRow]

I picked up a Thermacell device last week. Hoping it helps.

 

[The other Sean]

I am not a fan of "bug spray" but I have not found a suitable alternative that is as effective. Wearing full length light weight clothing that has been soaked in permethrin with a net over my head works well, but I don't like the netting.

I am shocked to see such success with the Thermacell. I tried to use one a few weeks ago in Colorado and the mosquitoes were practically landing on it. Maybe I was using it wrong (insert pad, turn to on, light, check for orange glow and place on table).

You need to give it 5-10 minutes to really get cooking. Once I really smell the pad, I notice bugs are gone. Also, make sure you don't open the pad packaging until you want to use it. then when done, let the pad cool a few minutes and seal it in a zip lock bag for next time. If there is still blue on the pad, there is still whatever they are soaked in. Also, remember that 15' is a circle around the unit, so you need to be within 7.5' of it. At home on my patio, I just sit it on the little table next to my chair.

 

[KonzaLander]

You need to give it 5-10 minutes to really get cooking. Once I really smell the pad, I notice bugs are gone. Also, make sure you don't open the pad packaging until you want to use it. then when done, let the pad cool a few minutes and seal it in a zip lock bag for next time. If there is still blue on the pad, there is still whatever they are soaked in. Also, remember that 15' is a circle around the unit, so you need to be within 7.5' of it. At home on my patio, I just sit it on the little table next to my chair.

Good tips! Unfortunately I did exactly what you suggested with no luck. The pad was freshly opened and a solid blue color. I let the Thermacell burn for a couple of hours. The device was placed on a picnic table where we were attempting to eat (I am not sure how appropriate this is, but we were all within 3' of the device) and the wind was deathly still. It was about 2/3 white when I shut it down. Maybe the blue goo on this particular Thermacell pad was the blue liquid every TV commercial uses for absorbent underwear ads

 

[adventure_is_necessary]

Good tips! Unfortunately I did exactly what you suggested with no luck. The pad was freshly opened and a solid blue color. I let the Thermacell burn for a couple of hours. The device was placed on a picnic table where we were attempting to eat (I am not sure how appropriate this is, but we were all within 3' of the device) and the wind was deathly still. It was about 2/3 white when I shut it down. Maybe the blue goo on this particular Thermacell pad was the blue liquid every TV commercial uses for absorbent underwear ads

I have heard the Thermocell devices don't work worth a darn the first couple times they're lit up? Wonder if that was your experience? Might be worth lighting them up a few times to break them in? Maybe a new pad?