Hiking

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. . . Some Bugs Just Love to Bug Hikers and Back Packers

Bugs don’t just bug you, they also carry potentially hazardous diseases, so all hikers and back packers need to protect themselves against becoming lunch. I’m not sure why but some hikers (well, some people in fact) are all the more attractive to bugs, I guess some hikers are just tastier than others. Some hikers can also suffer a much stronger reaction to bug bites and stings, a wasp sting might cause severe swelling and pain for one person and be nothing more than a little prick to another, it’s all down to allergies and stuff. There is a theory that if you eat plenty of garlic it will make you less attractive to the blood sucking critters, but then again, it will also make you less attractive to your fellow hikers (unless you all have a good portion of it). So how should you protect yourself from the bugs getting the better of you on your next hike . . .  Well, there’s lots of commercial insect repellant which can protect you, or you can make your own!

That certainly seems easy doesn’t it? Definitely worth having a go . . . .

Is this dude for real or what . . . . ha ha, he had you hooked there didn’t he?

Natural Insect Repellants

Hikers and backpackers are generally concerned about the environment, so anything natural and home made is a real positive, including insect repellants. There are some natural herb formulas which do repel insects and bugs (I’ve already shown you one video) . . . let’s look at some of these ingredients and the advantages and disadvantages of using them to make your hike a “bug-free” experience:

• Geranium oil is highly regarded to be an effective natural repellent against ticks and mosquitos, with a more pleasant odor than some other repellants . . . however, it is difficult to predict just how long the effectiveness lasts for. You do have to re-apply this type of insect repellant very regularly for adequate protection against mosquitos and ticks.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is also effective against ticks and mosquitos as well as some flies.  Eucalyptus, however, has quite a distinctive odor (you either love it or hate it . . . but it tends to clear your nasal passages quite well), it can’t be used on young children and shouldn’t be applied more than a couple of times each day, even though the effects may only last 4 hours.
• Citronella is another one, now some people find the odor of citronella quite offensive . . . personally I love it, it smells fresh and lemony! Citronella may, however, cause a reaction to hikers with sensitive skins (although many hikers are pretty thick skinned, they have to be with names like “Swampy” and “Fartburg”). Again, it may not offer protection over an extended period of time.

Hmmm, witch hazel is sure popular for these natural insect repellants for hikers . . . .

Commercially Produced Chemical Insect Repellants for Hikers

Hikers also have the option of buying many chemical insect repellants, the most popular (and controversial) being products which include DEET. DEET really does have its supporters as well as its fair share of critics.  It is regarded globally as the most effective method of repelling insects . . . but at what cost? The supporters of insect repellants which utilize DEET point out that it has been successfully protecting hikers, backpackers, soldiers and other people for more than 50 years and is perfectly safe to use . . . the critics of DEET regard it as potentially harmful to not only the hiker but also to the environment. I’m obviously not going to go into the scientific details of the argument here, but rest assured that thousands of hikers and backpackers choose DEET based insect repellants to keep themselves bite and sting free throughout the hiking season without any problem at all, although the choice, as they say, is all yours!

Insect Repellant . . . The Cover Up Method

If you are planning a hike into mosquito country it’s also worth using the “cover up” method as extra protection. By all means, don’t forget to spray your chosen insect repellant but you will find that wearing long sleeves and pants can also save you from the suckers! And bug nets are a must when you’re hammock camping in the open . . . don’t let the pesky critters make a meal out of you while you are sleeping.