After a long day of outdoor activities, it is always nice to be able to set up camp and relax. But for some people, the peace and quiet is interrupted by flies buzzing around their campsite. You can’t blame them—the smell of food has likely drawn them in! Knowing how to get rid of flies while camping is vital to your enjoyment and comfort.
Luckily, there are many ways that you can get rid of these pesky bugs with items that most likely already exist in your camping kit. So if you want to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about being bothered by those pests, here are five different methods for getting rid of flies while camping.
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10 Ways to Get Rid of Flies While Camping
There’s a wide variety of options when it comes to getting rid of flies. While some may work better than others, as long as you can find something that will make your campsite more comfortable and enjoyable, it’s all worth it!
Wear Light-Coloured Clothing
One of the first methods, and perhaps one of the simplest, is to wear light-coloured clothing. Flies are attracted to dark colors because they can more easily blend in with those surroundings. Researchers found out that flies are three times as likely to fly into blue traps than yellow ones.
So by wearing lighter clothes, you will make it a bit harder for flies to find you. If you’re camping in hotter weather, the lighter clothing will also keep you cooler throughout the day.
Use Insect Repellents
Permanently getting rid of the flies that are surrounding your campsite is certainly ideal, but in some cases, it may be impossible. For times like these, using insect repellents will help to keep them away long enough for you to enjoy your stay at the campground.
There are many different types of sprays and lotions available. Make sure that the bug spray or lotion is safe for your skin and won’t irritate it. You’ll also want to make sure it isn’t harmful to any children, or pets that may be present.
DEET is one of the most common ingredients in insect repellents. It is considered safe for humans, but there have been rare cases where it has had some side effects on young children and infants.
If you don’t want to use DEET-based sprays or lotions, there are other options available as well. Many natural formulas are available for those who prefer a more earth-friendly approach.
You can also use your insect repellent sprays on nearby structures such as a picnic bench or even the outside of your tent. Just make sure that your tent’s material is able to withstand the ingredients in the spray.
Make Your Own Repellents
For those who don’t want exposure to chemicals or want to save money, there are ways to make your own insect repellents. Here are three ideas that can get you started:
Create an Oil Blend
One way is by making an oil and water mixture where you add lavender, rosemary, citronella, or thyme oil.
These oils can be mixed with water and then sprayed around the area in order to ward off flies that are nearby. This is a great way for those who like to use natural ingredients when they’re outdoors!
Use Lemon Scented Products
One of the best ways you can get rid of flying insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, is to use lemon-scented products around your campsite.
The reason this works so well is that the citronella oil in lemons has been found to be one of the best ingredients for repelling insects. Not only does it repel those bugs, but it also smells great!
Use Vinegar
Combine one part vinegar with three parts water and spray it in the areas where you would like to keep flies away. The acetic acid in the vinegar is what’s effective when getting rid of these pests because they don’t enjoy this smell at all. Some humans are sensitive to the smell as well, so opt for the above options if you’re looking for something a bit more fragrant.
There are a variety of types of vinegar and all of them will work well. White vinegar is the most popular choice because it’s the strongest and most affordable. Apple cider vinegar and rice vinegar are both great options as well and have a more pleasant smell than white vinegar does.
Use a Heavy Duty Fan
If you have a power source available at your campsite, a heavy-duty fan is an excellent way to keep the flies away. If your fan is strong enough, they won’t be able to land on you without getting blown away.
This method is helpful in keeping all sorts of flying bugs away from you while camping, most notably mosquitos and fruit flies. It can also help to cool down your camping group on hotter days.
Camp During the Right Months
Flies are most active during warmer months where there is more food available. That means that if you want to avoid having them around your campsite, the best time of year to go camping is between September and May. Black fly season also happens between May and June, so if you’re in an area where these are common, you may want to skip these dates as well.
It can be tricky to time out the perfect day for camping with minimal flies. You want it to be cold enough that they aren’t prevalent, but warm enough that you can get outside and enjoy your time.
Autumn camping may be the best option for those looking for a balance of good weather with very few flies.
Keep Your Campsite Clean
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s something that many people forget to do and is also quite challenging to do outside. If you keep your campsite clean and free of any food or crumbs, this will deter flies from visiting often.
Make sure to keep your food in sealable containers and do not leave any food out in the open, even if you’re planning on eating it soon. If flies are attracted to your crumbs or spills, consider eating in a different section of your campsite to keep them away from where you’re hanging out.
Keep an eye on your trash cans or bags as well. Keep garbage bags tied up and place them away from the main areas of your campsite.
Take Garlic Capsules
If you’re a major garlic lover, taking garlic capsules will help to ward off the flies that may be bothering you.
The smell of garlic is quite strong and not every human enjoys it as much as other types of food. However, if you enjoy eating raw or cooked garlic often, consider taking some Garlicin pills before your camping trip.
Not only does it have a strong smell that flies aren’t fond of, but garlic can also be quite beneficial for your health. It is said to help with cardiovascular problems and has anti-coagulant properties as well.
Keep Your Fire Ablaze
Campfires are one of the best ways to keep flies and other flying insects away from you while camping. The smoke naturally repels them and wards them off.
In order to build a fire that produces more smoke, you want to make sure that you’re using green logs. Dry, dead, wood doesn’t produce as much smoke. Of course, the trade-off here is you’ll probably be repelled by the smoke as well. Make sure you’re sitting in an area where you can enjoy the fire without being too bothered by it.
Use Screened Rooms and Nets
One of the easiest ways to keep flies away from you while camping is by using a screened room where your group will be hanging out.
Screened rooms vary from simple and small to more elaborate structures that can be used as a full room canopy. The idea is the same, though: keep bugs away from your human occupants by creating an outdoor room for them to enjoy themselves in without worry of being bothered.
Some screened rooms also have floors, which can further help to keep insects out.
A net can also help to keep bugs away while you’re sleeping in your tent or lounging outside. These are extremely portable mesh screens that you can hang from anything – a post, a tree, or even a hammock. They’re a perfect solution for backpackers since they fold up and can be stored away in a small bag.
You can even purchase a hat that has a mesh drape over it to help keep flies away from your face while you’re outside. This is good for those who go fishing or are in areas where there are a lot of bugs.
Go For Fragrant-Free Toiletries
Flies tend to like many of the same fragrances that humans enjoy.
This is why it’s important to opt for fragrant-free toiletries if you want to discourage flies from visiting your area. As much as possible, avoid using fragrant soaps and shampoos when camping since these items will make it even more appealing for the bugs to come around.
Also, opt for unscented wipes as well, which you can use to clean yourself up when you need to refresh and a shower isn’t available.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of flies while camping is extremely challenging – especially if you enjoy being outside and don’t have any protection from them. If you follow these tips, however, it can be a lot easier to keep them away.
Choose a few options that work best for your preferences, budget, and lifestyle. These choices could turn a bad camping experience into a great one!