Let's face the facts. We are outdoors and the
bugs are outdoors.
Now let's keep pests as far away as possible.
Dark-colored clothing is an insect attractant , so avoid wearing it. Blue and black are two of their favorite colors! Choose light-colored garments, and where insects are a real problem, wear loose-fitting clothing that has tight-fitting cuffs. A hat will keep insects from getting tangled in your hair. If you simply can't stand any contact with bugs there are clothes available called "Bug wear", which includes pants, hats, and jackets.
Commonly called DEET. DEET -based repellents come in different concentrations. If you plan on using an insect repellent on children, buy one formulated especially for them. DEET can be toxic for children and persons with a compromised immune system. Most major brands have "KIDS" formulas. They work for adults just as well as regular repellents. DEET can also "melt" some fabrics. A natural alternative is citronella oil, which will work to varying degrees of success.
A fire is sometimes a good way to keep flying insects at bay. They don't like the smoke given off by campfires. You should be mostly downwind from the smoke, but slightly in the path to get any benefit from this. Don't get close enough to get burned!
Mosquito Coils are quite good for keeping insects at bay. They are easy to use, just set the coils in the stand and light according to packaging. Drawback, takes up room in pack so probably not practical for backpacking. Also the stands are fragile. I have used them and they do work! If you don't have coils, try citronella candles. They are readily available at most drug and grocery, and discount stores.
Don't camp next to standing water. This is were large numbers of mosquitos bread. Make sure you are not pitching your tent on an anthill. Keep you tent's see through netting in good shape. A small hole is an invitation to dinner for a bug! Keep a tent repair kit handy.
Ticks are usually no bigger than the head of a pin -->*<--that big, or small. Ticks are more prevalent in grassy areas and meadows, so avoid hiking in these areas. Ticks usually take 2 hours to explore before they pick their drill site. Frequently check you body for ticks every two hours or less. They travel up and you might find them in your hair or other warm spot. Make sure your lower extremities are covered with pants. If wearing shorts, also wear good socks and hiking boots. Apply insect repellent to your lower extremities. If you find a tick on your body you can apply insect repellent to coax it off. Try to grasp the tick near it's head not the body. If any parts of the tick remain imbedded in the skin, seek medical attention to have it removed. Some ticks carry Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Feaver.Want to see more pictures of ticks? Click here
Bees can leave their stingers in your skin. If stung, don't use your fingers to remove the stinger. It could make more venom get injected. Instead, use a credit card or edge of knife and scrape across the bee sting. Wash the area and apply a baking soda paste, meat tenderizer paste or calamine lotion. Many people are allergic to insect stings including bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. One sign that you are allergic is when your airway closes up called anafalatic shock. If you know that you are allergic to insect stings, make arrangements to get a bee sting kit, also called Epi-Kit from your doctor. Read the directions and know how to use it before you need it. Also have anyone who goes with you know how to use the kit. You might be unconscious and not able to administer it yourself. If you find out that you are allergic in the middle of no were, taking an ANTIHISTAMINE such as Benadryl might help. Also I was told by an ER doctor that consuming a drink with caffeine might give you enough time to get to the emergency room. Don't take your time, get there ASAP.
There are only 2 types of poisonous spiders to be concerned about: the female black widow and brown recluse spiders. A Black widow has a shiny black bode and have a red hourglass on the underside. Black widows inflict a painful bite (you will know when you have been bitten) and symptoms will flare up within hours. Victims may suffer pain and cramping. Brown recluse spiders have light brown bodies with a violin shaped mark on the back. Bites from the brown recluse spider may be painless but symptoms will crop up a few days or hours later. Symptoms include fever, and the wound can develop into gangrene. A bite from a brown recluse spider is a medical emergency. Seek medical help immediately!