Mosquitoes, Ticks and Bug Repellents
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Climate change increases disease-carrying mosquitoes' territories, spreading Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Lyme, Zika, Malaria, and many more infections into non-standard colder areas.
Wisconsin happens to be the most buggy place we have experienced in all of our international travels and local travels. Remaining bug-free requires a serious approach to preventing bug bites. We created a Bug-Free Layer Strategy that allows us to enjoy Wisconsin's beautiful green spaces, rivers, and lakes without annoying itching or worrying about getting a mosquito-borne disease. Best of all, this layering strategy works anywhere in the world. (Diseases like West Nile, EEE, and flesh-eating bacteria are flourishing due to climate change. USA Today)
Clothes: We wear hats, loose-fitting long sleeves, long pants, and socks when practical. Mosquitoes prefer light colors, and ticks are easier to spot. However, you may be like Dave and overheat too quickly, making it intolerable for him to cover up on hot days - no matter how thin the materials.
Avoid using body products with scents (shampoos, perfumes, or body washes).
Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent
for Clothing, Gear & Tents
US armies are treating all new uniforms with Permethrin. Permethrin actually kills ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects. The formula bonds to the fabric fibers and lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washings.
I soak one set of clothes for both Dave and me - one Tee Shirt, one pair of shorts, one pair of long pants, one pair of socks, one hat. Since the repellent lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washings, we wear the permethrin-sprayed clothes in deep woodsy, mosquito-infested areas only
Other Repellents available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mU9lJa
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LbavSu
Spray OFF! botanicals insect repellent
on exposed skin only:
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39MhTOc
Protect Exposed Skin
with Off! Botanicals
The active ingredient in OFF! botanicals is chemically synthesized from pine oil extract and repels mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums. Dave and I love this product because it is odorless and non-greasy. Use on exposed skin only and not under clothes.
Be sure to wash off all repellents before bedtime.
Other Repellents available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mU9lJa
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39MhTOc
12 HOUR
Picaridin Insect Repellent
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mQ8qJI
When Hiking in a woodsy area
was not Planned
When hiking in a woodsy area was not planned, we would not be wearing our Permethrin-treated clothes. In that case, before going into the woods, we spray the clothes, hats, shoes, and socks we have on with Sawyer's 12 Hour Picaridin spray.
Picaridin, derived from Piperine in pepper plants, repels biting mosquitos, ticks, flies, gnats, chiggers, and sandflies. I keep one Sawyer's 12-Hour Picaridin spray repellent in the car and one in my backpack.
Be sure to wash off all repellents before bedtime.
Other Repellents available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mU9lJa
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mQ8qJI
Thermacell Radius Zone
Mosquito repeller
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/37BcE1n
No Spray Mosquito Repellent; Rechargeable; Scent and DEET-Free
We purchased the Thermacell Radius for gardening, picnicking outdoorsin the park, or in the campsite. It is a great alternative to slathering on bug spray when you're just sitting around outdoors.
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Great for Travelers – lightweight and TSA-compliant for airline travel, Radius comes with built in Li-Ion rechargeable battery, one 12-hour refill repellent cartridge and a USB battery charger
Other Repellers available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/33KezPW
More details and instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/37BcE1n
Clam Outdoors Quick-Set Traveler
Screen Shelter - 20lbs
Other sizes and styles available
on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lQKLHr
Quick Set 9870 Tent,
72 x 72 x 82 inches
The Clam Screen Shelter sets up fast and easy and ready to use right out of the box, with no assembly required.
The Permethrin spray works great on mosquito nets and tents to kill bugs on contact rather than having the critters wait for an opportunity to enter the tent or bite through the tent when sleeping.
More sizes and styles available
Instructions available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lQKLHr
Telescopic Foldable Fan, Rechargeable Battery Powered and USB
For a bug-free van camping experience: In the summer, we can leave the cab windows open at night with mosquito netting draped around the door frames providing double mosquito protection. When the doors are closed, the net is secured. In the morning, it's easy to open the doors and slip the netting off the frames, fold it, and put it away. No-fuss.
A twin-size frame and camper mattress topped with a Sansbug Pop Up Mosquito tent and the Mosquito Bed Net around the van doors allows us to van-camp bug-free.
A battery-powered stand-up fan inside the van boosts airflow during sultry summer evenings.
Instructions available
Other sizes and styles available
on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mSSdU8
For the squeamish among us, the Sansbug mosquito-free tent provides a peaceful sleep no matter where you are. It is easy to pop open and place on top of any bed. It's large zip-entry makes night bathroom treks convenient.
We took ours to a 30-day Mexico trip reserving all Airbnbs along the way. It turned out, all the Airbnbs were wonderfully bug free. We still set up the Mosquito Pop Up every night. There are 2-person and 3-person tents available. At home in Wisconsin, we use the pop-up exclusively for van camping during the Wisconsin's buggy season.
The Permethrin spray works great on mosquito nets and tents to kill bugs on contact rather than having the critters wait for an opportunity to enter the tent or bite through the tent when sleeping.
SANSBUG 1-Person Free-Standing
Pop Up Mosquito Net (Tarp Floor)
