Heading north? Here are a few handy hints to ensure those pesky bugs of the tropics leave you alone

 COMPILED BY CAMPER TRAILER LIFESTYLE

The top of Australia is a beautiful place, so it’s only fitting that a large portion of Australia’s bug population want to call it home, right? So, how do you deal with mozzies at camp? Well, we’ve got a few nifty tricks up our sleeves to beat these pint-size camp crashers.

So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time to grab your cork-strung hat, put down the swatter and check out our complete survival guide for all things bugs!

CHOOSE GOOD QUALITY REPELLENTS

Repeat after me: real campers wear repellent. That’s right, you are never too tough to accept a little help when its available, especially when it truly makes a difference. 

DEET blends are quite popular these days, but formulations with citriodiol are also highly effective against midges and sandflies and are actually gentler on fabrics too. That said, different formulations suit different conditions. So read the label and always follow directions. 

AVOIDING MOZZIES? CHECK YOUR CAMP

You can’t always predict blighter hotspots on arrival to camp, but you can usually spot a few red flags. For example, you can steer clear of pooling or still water, muddy patches and ant hills. Also, watch for dumped rubbish (and be a good camper while you’re at it)—it’s a haven for vermin.

Generally speaking, you’ll encounter fewer bugs in large open areas. Ring your campsite with ant sand if you think ants might be a problem. 

IN THE CAMPER

In the camper, you’ll find a good quality commercial bug spray will ward off pests as you’re travelling. Essential oils can be a big help, too, especially if your rig will be unattended for a long time. 

Lemon oil repels spiders and ants, while vermin avoid peppermint oil. A few drops on a tissue at the back of the cupboard out of reach from pets and kids will do the trick.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and can degrade plastics. Never ingest. 

Another tip is to vacuum before you go and regularly wipe down dusty surfaces to prevent bugs moving in.

TOP TIP’S: COOKING AT CAMP

– Cooking odours attract flies. So, if you’re in a mosquito- or bug-infested campsite prepare at least part of your meal indoors or do your barbecuing earlier in the day.

– Cook your meal on the campfire. Flies, mosquitoes and other bugs avoid the smoke. 

– Bugs prefer white light, too. So, yellow lighting can help after dark. Some camper trailer manufacturers provide bug lighting on their campers, but you can buy 12V orange/yellow lights at your favourite camping gear outlet.

STOP THE ITCH

It’s always a good idea to pack some bite-relief medication into your medical kit. There are plenty of products available from your local chemist that can work wonders if you get caught out. 

Also, things like taking an antihistamine tablet or even rubbing hand sanitizer on the bite can help take the itch away.

SEAL YOUR SCRAPS 

Popular campsites embolden night-time raiders, especially if they’re regularly fed. If you’re not prepared, they can make a real mess of your campsite. So, sealing rubbish in containers is your best defence—and it keeps the flies at bay too.

Strong rubbish bins integrated onto spare wheel covers are fantastic if you’re carting your rubbish back home. 

While indoors, keeping scraps with a high sugar content in snap-lock containers helps mitigate ants.  

FLYSCREENS VS MIDGEE SCREENS 

Flyscreens provide an excellent barrier against bugs after dark. So long as you regularly check your seals and flyscreens. The size of the holes in the mesh will also play a role in what insects can work their way through, though. For example, those super smalling biting insects often found in the northern parts of Australia have an annoying ability to penetrate standard flyscreens. So, a midge proof screen with smaller, tighter mesh is a must!

CLOTHING COUNTS 

Consider what you’re wearing. Opt for light-coloured lightweight clothing with long sleeves at times when or where you’re likely to encounter bugs, say fishing by a river at dusk or on a rainforest walk.