How to Keep Bugs Away While Camping: Mosquitoes, Ticks & More

Q: "What's the best mosquito repellent for camping?"

"The most effective skin repellents are DEET (20–30% is plenty) and picaridin (20%), which works as well as DEET without the greasy feel or plastic-melting downside — picaridin is the pick for most campers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is a solid plant-based option. The single most effective thing, though, is treating your clothing with permethrin, which repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks on contact."

Q: "Does permethrin actually work, and is it safe?"

"Yes — permethrin is one of the most effective tools there is. You spray it on your clothing, tent, and gear (never on skin), let it dry, and it repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs for about 6 weeks or several washes. It's safe once dry and is the same treatment used on military uniforms. Treat your hiking clothes a day before your trip and you'll notice a huge difference."

Q: "How do you keep ticks away while hiking and camping?"

"Treat your clothing with permethrin, wear long pants tucked into your socks, stick to the center of trails away from tall grass and brush, and do a full-body tick check every evening (especially warm spots — waistline, armpits, groin, hairline). If you find an attached tick, remove it straight out with fine tweezers close to the skin. Permethrin-treated clothing plus daily checks is the most effective combination."

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Nothing ruins a beautiful campsite faster than a cloud of mosquitoes or the dread of ticks. The good news: with a simple layered approach — repellent, treated clothing, smart campsite choice, and a few habits — you can make bugs a non-issue. Here’s how to actually keep them away.

Start With Your Clothing: Permethrin

The most effective thing most campers don’t do: treat your clothing with permethrin. You spray it on clothes, your tent, and gear (never skin), let it dry, and it repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks on contact for about 6 weeks or several washes. Treat your hiking outfit the day before a trip and you’ve built bug protection right into what you wear. This single step makes the biggest difference, especially for ticks.

Then Protect Your Skin: Repellent

For exposed skin, use a proven repellent:

Picaridin (20%) — the pick for most people. As effective as DEET, but not greasy and won’t melt plastics/gear. Our go-to.
DEET (20–30%) — the long-proven standard; higher % just lasts longer, it’s not “stronger.”
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) — the most effective plant-based option.
Skip citronella candles/wristbands — weak and short-range at best.

Apply to exposed skin (not under clothing), reapply per the label, and keep it out of eyes.

Add Area Protection at Camp

A Thermacell or area repellent creates a bug-free zone around your camp chair — great for hanging out at dusk.
A bug head net weighs almost nothing and is a sanity-saver in truly brutal bug country.
A screen shelter / bug tent gives you a bug-free hangout for meals.

Cover Up & Choose Light Colors

Long sleeves and pants in lightweight fabric beat repellent for full coverage.
Tuck pants into socks to block ticks.
Light colors attract fewer mosquitoes (and make ticks easier to spot).
A sun hoodie does double duty against bugs and sun.

Pick a Smart Campsite

Where you camp matters as much as what you wear:

Avoid standing/stagnant water, marshes, and dense brush — mosquito breeding grounds.
Choose breezy, open, higher spots — wind keeps mosquitoes grounded.
Set up away from tall grass (ticks) and damp, shaded hollows.

Time It Right

Mosquitoes are worst at dawn and dusk and in still, humid conditions — cover up or retreat to the tent then.
Keep your tent zipped at all times and pick a tent with good bug netting; kill any bugs that sneak in before bed.
Skip scented products (perfume, scented soap/lotion) — they attract bugs.

Don’t Forget Ticks

Ticks are the serious one (Lyme and other diseases):

Permethrin-treated clothing + tucked-in pants is your best defense.
Stay center-trail, away from brushy edges.
Do a full-body tick check every evening — waistline, armpits, behind knees, groin, hairline.
Remove an attached tick by gripping it close to the skin with fine tweezers and pulling straight out — no twisting, no burning. Save it and watch the bite; see a doctor if a rash or flu-like symptoms appear.

Treat the Bites You Get

Don’t scratch (it worsens swelling and risks infection).
An antihistamine or anti-itch treatment calms the itch; keep it in your first-aid kit.
A cold compress helps with swelling.

The Bottom Line

Treat clothing with permethrin — the highest-impact step.
Use picaridin or DEET on exposed skin.
Cover up, pick a breezy site, and avoid standing water.
Check for ticks daily and remove them properly.
Add a head net and Thermacell for bad bug country.

Layer those and you’ll barely notice the bugs — and actually enjoy that lakeside campsite.

Beat the bugs. Love the campsite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best mosquito repellent for camping?

The most effective skin repellents are DEET (20–30% is plenty) and picaridin (20%), which works as well as DEET without the greasy feel or plastic-melting downside — picaridin is the pick for most campers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is a solid plant-based option. The single most effective thing, though, is treating your clothing with permethrin, which repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks on contact.

Does permethrin actually work, and is it safe?

Yes — permethrin is one of the most effective tools there is. You spray it on your clothing, tent, and gear (never on skin), let it dry, and it repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs for about 6 weeks or several washes. It’s safe once dry and is the same treatment used on military uniforms. Treat your hiking clothes a day before your trip and you’ll notice a huge difference.

How do you keep ticks away while hiking and camping?

Treat your clothing with permethrin, wear long pants tucked into your socks, stick to the center of trails away from tall grass and brush, and do a full-body tick check every evening (especially warm spots — waistline, armpits, groin, hairline). If you find an attached tick, remove it straight out with fine tweezers close to the skin. Permethrin-treated clothing plus daily checks is the most effective combination.

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