Skin care while camping: Pest prevention
The famous Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared” never applied more to any situation than it does when camping, especially when it comes to avoiding pests. Learn how to avoid the most common skin pests.
One of the best ways to protect your skin while camping is to get educated on what you are up against. Some of the most common “biters” in the camping world are mosquitoes and ticks. Though you may feel like a nerd doing so, always use mosquito repellent. Repellent should also be sprayed on your clothes to keep mosquitoes from biting through them to get to the skin. Just as your skin should be protected, so should your camping gear. Sprays that contain permethrin can be applied to your tent, nets, sleeping bag and clothing. By spraying your gear, you can help repel mosquitoes for months. Though this chemical won’t hurt your clothing or camping supplies, it shouldn’t be applied to your skin. Use a tick spray as well, especially when walking away from the main campsite. In general, don't walk too far off the main trails and always sit on a chair or blanket.
Clothing: Believe it or not, choosing the right wardrobe is an essential component to avoiding mosquitos and ticks. First, avoid colors that will make you stand out. In addition, wearing earthy colors will help you blend in more with the scenery and avoid catching the eye of a mosquito. Keep clothing color light and with tight stiching so you can better see a tick on you and can prevent ticks from getting to your skin. Be sure to wash your clothes as soon as you can after being out in the woods to get rid of lingering ticks. Perfumes, colognes, shampoos or anything with a strong scent should also be left at home. Finally, try to keep yourself covered up by wearing long sleeve shirts, pants and long socks whenever possible.
Buddy Up: Check yourself and your friends for ticks on body and clothes as often as possible. Check especially on the scalp, behind the ears, back and any area that would be tough for a person to see on his own.
One of the best ways to protect your skin while camping is to get educated on what you are up against. Some of the most common “biters” in the camping world are mosquitoes and ticks. Though you may feel like a nerd doing so, always use mosquito repellent. Repellent should also be sprayed on your clothes to keep mosquitoes from biting through them to get to the skin. Just as your skin should be protected, so should your camping gear. Sprays that contain permethrin can be applied to your tent, nets, sleeping bag and clothing. By spraying your gear, you can help repel mosquitoes for months. Though this chemical won’t hurt your clothing or camping supplies, it shouldn’t be applied to your skin. Use a tick spray as well, especially when walking away from the main campsite. In general, don't walk too far off the main trails and always sit on a chair or blanket.
Clothing: Believe it or not, choosing the right wardrobe is an essential component to avoiding mosquitos and ticks. First, avoid colors that will make you stand out. In addition, wearing earthy colors will help you blend in more with the scenery and avoid catching the eye of a mosquito. Keep clothing color light and with tight stiching so you can better see a tick on you and can prevent ticks from getting to your skin. Be sure to wash your clothes as soon as you can after being out in the woods to get rid of lingering ticks. Perfumes, colognes, shampoos or anything with a strong scent should also be left at home. Finally, try to keep yourself covered up by wearing long sleeve shirts, pants and long socks whenever possible.
Buddy Up: Check yourself and your friends for ticks on body and clothes as often as possible. Check especially on the scalp, behind the ears, back and any area that would be tough for a person to see on his own.