Nothing ruins a camping trip quite as much as being plagued by mosquitoes. They either buzz around your head and keep you awake or cover you in bothersome bites, so finding the best mosquito repellent for camping is vital to avoid constant irritation.
A good mosquito repellent for camping weather as a spray or using a mosquito repellent device is an essential part of your gear. The right repellent can keep a wide variety of bugs away, protecting you and your family from bites and making your camping experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
Preventing bug bites is also important for protecting against insect-borne diseases.
Mosquitoes are known to transmit several viruses, including Zika, West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and dengue fever.
The risk depends on the area you are visiting, but West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and dengue have both been reported in the United States, with West Nile being the most common.
Although only one in five people experience the symptoms – which can include fever, aches, and vomiting – the virus can sometimes be very serious.
Here in this guide to the best mosquito repellent for camping, I’ve listed my top three products and explained just why I recommend them.
Coleman 100 Max Mosquito Repellent DEET Spray
Used safely in the US for more than 50 years, DEET is a very effective ingredient. It is the best mosquito repellent for camping if you plan to spend a great deal of time outdoors as it is so long-lasting.
It is also the best choice if the area in which you are staying is particularly heavily infested.
Besides mosquitoes, this powerful DEET spray from Coleman helps protect you against lots of other unwelcome visitors. These include ticks, chiggers, fleas, flies, gnats, and biting flies.
The product is very easy to apply. It has a convenient, continuous spray that works effectively no matter how you hold the bottle – even upside down!
When applied in a slow, sweeping motion, it thoroughly covers every inch of exposed skin.
When camping you will often be in situations where you are in the water or perspiring heavily. Some bug sprays are just not up to the task and will eventually wash off. This spray, however, offers you consistent and even coverage.
It will go on protecting you for up to 10 hours – more than enough for a day’s adventures!
The scent is much lighter than many other repellent sprays and – because it is not too oily or greasy – it has a pleasant feel on the skin.
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Spray
The best insect repellent for camping if you are looking for a DEET-free option, this spray is made from the oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Whilst DEET is an effective synthetic repellent – and has been used safely for personal protection against mosquitoes for many years – lemon eucalyptus is an ideal alternative if you are looking for a more natural option.
This is produced from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree and is the only plant-based active ingredient that the CDC recommends. It offers an excellent level of protection, repelling both mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to six hours.
Whereas some bug sprays can have a cloying or unpleasantly chemical smell, this repellent has a citrus scent that is both cool and refreshing. It also feels nice on the skin!
Despite the fact that it is oil-based, it is neither sticky nor greasy. This makes it ideal for continuous use.
The dispensing bottle is easy to use and I particularly like the pump mechanism, which makes it easy to spray the repellent upside down. This can be useful when applying it around the legs and feet.
Suitable for use on adults and on children from 3 years of age, this environmentally friendly and non-toxic spray is a great way to keep you and your family naturally protected.
Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent
Applying mosquito repellent to your skin is an essential part of protecting yourself from their bites. But another important step when camping is effectively treating your clothing and all your outdoor gear.
This powerful product from Sawyer is designed to do just that.
Ideal for everything from your jackets and socks to your sleeping bags and tents, it helps protect you and your gear from more than 55 insects. These include mosquitoes, ticks, mites, chiggers, spiders, and lots more.
The spray is made with permethrin, an insecticide that doesn’t just repel mosquitoes but can actually kill them on contact.
It is perfect for use on fabric as it binds to the fibers and continues to provide protection for up to 6 weeks, or through 6 washes.
It is safe to use on all kinds of fabric and won’t damage them or leave any stains.
This even includes delicate fabrics like silk. It can be used on other surfaces, too, including outdoor gear, finished surfaces, and plastics.
It is ideal for use in your bedding and protects you from getting bitten at night. You can even use it on your dog, as it binds to the hair and penetrates the skin!
Permethrin is the synthetic version of a substance called pyrethrum, which is naturally derived from the chrysanthemum flower. As a testament to its effectiveness and staying power, it is a repellent that the U.S. and Canadian militaries have used to treat uniforms for nearly 30 years.
More Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away While Camping
In addition to using a good repellent, there are some simple things you can do to keep your campsite mosquito free! Read our complete guide to find out the best ways to keep mosquitoes away when camping.
- Try to minimize your use of heavily scented colognes, soaps, deodorants, and perfumes. Unscented products are ideal, as they make it harder for mosquitoes to find you.
- Choose a tent with a screened room. It may make the tent a little more expensive, but a screened room is essential for summer camping. Remember that tents need ventilating fairly regularly. Without a screened room, it’s impossible to do this without letting bugs in!
- Take care choosing your camping site. Standing water is a mosquito magnet, so look for a site that is located on high ground and well away from ponds, lakes, swamps, etc. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of areas with tall grass, or where there are lots of objects that could catch rainwater.
- Keep that campfire going! Most bugs are deterred by fire and smoke, so ensure you tend your campfire carefully. Think about burning some essential oils, too, as these can be an even better deterrent!
- Keep the inner door of your tent tightly zipped at all times, even if you were only planning to leave it open for a moment. It takes just seconds for bugs to get into your tent, but a lot longer to get rid of them!
- Remember that light attracts mosquitoes and other bugs. This means that you should turn off your flashlight or lantern whenever you enter or exit your tent so that you don’t encourage them to enter.
Final Thoughts On Mosquito Repellent For Camping
I hope this guide to the best bug repellent for camping has been helpful. Along with taking sensible precautions like camping away from damp ground, the right repellent will allow you to enjoy your outdoor adventures in peace.
Mosquito repellents are great to avoid mosquito bites… but sometimes, sneaky mosquitoes do their things anyway. Make sure to have a good after-bite product just in case.
Going camping soon? Learn about the best camping gear by reading the following guides:
