Guide

How to Keep Bugs Away while Camping

Tired of bugs ruining your trip? Here are 8 practical, field-tested ways to keep mosquitoes, flies, and ticks away from your campsite and your skin.

CampingKnow team ยท Updated 2026-06-16

Spending time outdoors means sharing the space with mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and gnats. You will never get rid of bugs completely at a campsite, but you can cut their numbers down to a level where they stop ruining the trip.

Most bugs are drawn in by strong smells, so good habits matter as much as gear. Skip heavily scented products, clean your cooking and table area after every meal, and wash dishes right after you eat. Keep food and trash covered, since uncovered scraps attract insects and the occasional forest animal too. Bugs also love moisture, so pitch your tent away from damp or wet ground when you can.

Here are eight practical tips to keep bugs away while camping, plus the simple gear that makes each one easier.

1. Carry Some Bug Sprays or Creams

A bug spray or cream is the simplest first line of defense. If you go with a cream, reapply it from time to time, especially at night when biting insects are most active. You can invest in an herbal product or a lotion made with lavender or natural oils.

The skincare products from Avon are popular for this because they work well as an insect repellent and the lotions do not contain DEET. Natural products like cloves and garlic can repel bugs too, but you would need to carry a lot of them to see any real effect, so a dedicated spray or lotion is the better choice.

2. Use a Bug Repellent Bracelet

Bug repellent bracelets are now made for both kids and adults, and they work surprisingly well. Slip one on and you can enjoy the trip without constantly reapplying cream or spray.

The Parakito bug repellent wristbands for kids use natural essential oils and come in several colors. Bands like these are also handy at home when the kids are playing outdoors. Just remember to put them on before you head outside.

3. Choose Smart Camping Gear

When you are picking a tent or a cooler, look for models that come with bug-fighting add-ons like a built-in screen. The right gear keeps your campsite clear of bugs with no extra effort on your part.

Even if you are camping solo, a camping tent with a bug screen that sets up instantly is one of the most important steps toward keeping insects out of your sleeping space.

4. Do Not Forget to Close the Doors

This rule applies to more than just your tent. It covers your car and any box with a lid as well. If you want a bug-free campsite, take every precaution to keep them shut out.

5. Keep the First Aid Kit Ready

When you pack your first aid kit, keep bugs and insects in mind. Add a pair of tweezers for removing ticks, and pack an anti-itch cream or a treatment for insect stings and bites.

If anyone in your group has a history of allergic reactions, carry the medication they need. Allergic reactions are not only triggered by bugs but also by plants, flowers, and pollen, so it pays to be well prepared.

6. Choose Proper Clothing

Pack clothes for the weather, but also lean toward long sleeves in a lightweight fabric. In summer you may not want extra layers, which is where insect repellent clothing comes in.

Brands such as Solstice treat and coat the fabric with insect repellent, so it keeps bugs off without any spray or cream. After a wash the clothing is still fine to wear as regular gear, which makes it an easy win.

7. Use Candles

Burning candles inside a tent is not safe, but natural scented candles are great when you are sitting outside. Citronella Candles are a camper favorite because citronella oil is a natural bug repellent.

Light a few around the seating area and you will notice fewer mosquitoes and flies hovering nearby.

8. Mosquito Coils, Repellent Lanterns, and Head Nets

Mosquito coils are a classic way to keep flies and mosquitoes off the campsite. Choose smoke-free coils that still release scent into the air, and place a few around your space to thin out the bugs.

Repellent lanterns are another option. Most use a removable cartridge that holds the scent and pushes bugs away from the area. A DEET-free model like the Thermacell Shield Lantern works at camp and later on your patio at home. And when you are hiking or walking, a simple mosquito head net keeps bugs off your face with zero fuss.

Gear That Helps

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Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts bugs to a campsite the most?

Strong smells are the biggest draw. Scented products, leftover food, dirty dishes, and uncovered trash all pull bugs in, and so does damp or wet ground. Keep your cooking area clean and pitch away from moisture to cut down the crowd.

Do I need DEET to keep bugs away while camping?

No. Plenty of effective options are DEET-free, including Avon's skin lotions, Parakito wristbands, citronella candles, and Thermacell's repellent lanterns. They are a good fit if you want to avoid DEET on your skin or around kids.

What is the easiest way to keep bugs off kids?

A repellent wristband like the Parakito band is the simplest option, since there is nothing to reapply. Pair it with lightweight long-sleeve clothing and you cover most of the exposure.

How do I keep mosquitoes out of my tent?

Choose a tent with a built-in bug screen, and zip the door shut every single time you go in or out. Closing up your car and storage boxes the same way keeps insects from collecting around your gear.

Can you completely get rid of bugs while camping?

Not completely. You are in their habitat, so the realistic goal is to reduce their numbers. Combining a few of these tips, repellent, screened gear, candles, and good food habits, makes the difference between a miserable trip and a comfortable one.

The Bottom Line

It is nearly impossible to get rid of bugs entirely at a campsite, but a little preparation goes a long way. Combine repellent on your skin or clothing, screened gear, citronella candles or a repellent lantern, and clean food habits, and you will spend far less time swatting. Use these tips on your next trip for a better camping experience, minus the bugs.