Bug Off! Don’t Let Biting Bugs Win!
OLFA Works – Bug off
Title: Bug Off! Don’t Let Biting Bugs Win!
Nothing can ruin a peaceful evening by the fire or a quiet paddle across the lake faster than a swarm of mosquitos, buzzing deer flies, or a surprise bee sting. Insects are a fact of life in the outdoors, and while most bites are harmless annoyances, some can lead to infections or allergic reactions that require quick action. With the right knowledge, you can prevent many bites, treat them effectively, and know when to take things seriously.
We’ve compiled a list of common insects and how to treat bites. While this list is general, you may want to pay attention to insects that are more specific to your area. As usual, keep a basic first aid kit with antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, and antiseptic wipes in your backpack. Include an EpiPen if you’re allergic to bees.
Mosquitos thrive near standing water and wet, marshy areas. Set up your campsite away from stagnant water and downwind of heavy vegetation. Avoid small ponds or puddles as well as buckets or overturned canoes and boats. Mosquitoes breed in them. Camp on higher, breezy ground if possible. To avoid getting bitten, wear a long-sleeved thin shirt and netting headgear, especially if you’re hiking. In your tent, use netting over your sleeping area as a mosquito screen. You can get screen shelters that go over your picnic table too as a way to escape the bugs. You’ll know if you’ve been bitten by a mosquito when you see small, itchy red bumps, often in clusters. Wash with soap, apply ice or cold water, and use an anti-itch cream to keep from scratching.
Pay attention to reports of West Nile Disease in those areas where you’ll be camping. West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne illness spread primarily by the Culex mosquito, which bites from dusk through dawn. These mosquitoes become infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus. Humans and other mammals can then be bitten and infected, but you can’t catch West Nile from another person. Mosquitoes are found throughout most of the U.S. and Canada, especially in areas with warm evenings and standing water (lakeshores, marshes, slow-moving rivers). Late summer and early fall, when mosquito populations peak, post the highest risk. Most people infected never feel sick, but about 1 in 5 develop mild to moderate symptoms that start 3–14 days after a mosquito bite. Symptoms include fever and chills, headache and body aches, fatigue or weakness, and nausea or mild rash. A small percentage (less than 1%) develop severe illness that affects the nervous system, called neuroinvasive West Nile disease. Warning signs include a high fever, neck stiffness, confusion or disorientation, a severe headache, muscle weakness or paralysis. Seek medical attention immediately if any of these occur after a mosquito bite, especially in older adults or anyone with weakened immunity. There’s no specific medication for West Nile virus. Most people recover on their own with rest and fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers for fever and aches. Severe cases may require hospitalization for IV fluids and supportive care. If you’ve been camping or canoeing and develop fever, headache, or unusual fatigue within two weeks of heavy mosquito exposure, it’s worth calling a healthcare provider. Early testing helps confirm the cause and rules out other illnesses like influenza or COVID-19 that can feel similar.
Wood ticks are silent, sneaky pests that latch on quietly and can carry dangerous diseases. They have small dark bodies and dark legs that are easy to see or feel. Remove them with fine-tipped tweezers (grasp close to skin, pull straight out), clean with antiseptic, monitor for rash/fever.
Deer ticks, on the other hand, are much smaller than wood ticks and can be difficult to spot. The adults are about the size of a sesame seed, while the nymph (young tick) are even smaller, about the size of a poppy seed. They have a reddish-brown body with darker black legs. They attach firmly and feed slowly, often going unnoticed for 24 hours or more. When attached, you’ll see a small, flat or slightly rounded dark bump — the tick’s body — attached to your skin. The tick may appear engorged (grayish and round) if it has been feeding for several hours. There is often no immediate pain — ticks secrete a mild numbing agent in their saliva. After removal, you might see a small red bump or irritation at the site.
Within a few days, if the tick carried Lyme disease, a distinctive rash may appear — a bull’s-eye pattern (red outer ring with a clearer center). It might appear swollen. Not everyone develops this, so also watch for flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, headache, and joint pain.
Treat a deer tick bite by removing the tick immediately. Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible (right at the head). Pull straight out with steady pressure — don’t twist or jerk. Don’t crush or burn the tick as that can release more bacteria into your skin. Wash the bite and your hands thoroughly with soap and water or antiseptic wipes. Apply an antiseptic (rubbing alcohol, iodine, or hydrogen peroxide). Save the tick in a sealed plastic bag or a piece of clear tape, if possible. Label it with the date and location of the bite. This can help doctors identify the tick species if you develop symptoms later. Monitor your symptoms for 30 days after a tick bite. Seek medical attention if you notice a bull’s-eye rash or expanding redness around the bite (it can appear 3–30 days later), fever, chills, fatigue, or muscle/joint aches, neck stiffness or other flu-like symptoms that persist. If Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness is suspected, doctors may prescribe antibiotics (commonly doxycycline). Early treatment is very effective and prevents long-term complications.
Here are extra tips for preventing tick bites. When hiking or canoeing through tick-prone areas, wear long pants tucked into socks. Apply permethrin to clothing or gear before trips (it kills ticks on contact). Do a full body check after returning to camp — scalp, hairline, waist, behind knees, underarms, and ankles are favorite hiding spots. Double check the kids.
Black flies and deer flies are completely different insects, even though they often show up together and both love to bite campers and canoeists. They come from different families, behave differently, and even bite in different ways.
Black Flies are from the Simuliidae family. They are tiny, only about ⅛ inch long (smaller than a grain of rice). Short, with a hump-backed body with short legs and clear wings, they are usually black or dark gray. You can find them near fast-moving water, such as rivers, streams, and rapids, where they lay eggs. Peak season is in late spring to early summer, especially in northern areas (like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada). They swarm around the head, neck, and ears, attracted to the carbon dioxide and moisture in your breath. Mostly active during daylight, especially calm, overcast days, they often attack in large numbers, which makes them maddeningly persistent. Females cut the skin and lap up the blood, leaving painful, bleeding welts. The bites may swell, itch intensely, and sometimes ooze. Most bites are harmless but can become infected if scratched. In rare cases, they can cause allergic swelling or mild fever. (In tropical regions, black flies spread river blindness, but not in North America.)
Deer flies belong to the Tabanidae family, which are closely related to horse flies. They’re medium-sized (about ¼ inch long), with clear or slightly patterned wings and large, colorful eyes — often gold, green, or iridescent. Females bite to feed on blood (they need it to lay eggs); males feed only on pollen and nectar. You’ll find them in wet, wooded, or marshy areas near lakes, rivers, and bogs, exactly the places campers and canoeists love. Peak activity is early to mid-summer, especially on warm, humid days. They’re most active during daylight hours, particularly in calm or lightly breezy weather. They’re a problem because they create painful bites. Deer flies cut the skin with scissor-like mouthparts, then lap up the blood. This leaves a sharp, burning pain and a small wound that can bleed freely. They’re visual hunters and persistent, attracted to movement, dark colors, and shiny objects, and will circle until they find a place to land. Though rare, deer flies can transmit tularemia (also called “rabbit fever”), a bacterial infection that causes fever and swollen lymph nodes. Wash the bite area with soap and water to prevent infection. Apply antiseptic, then a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
Use hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine lotion to relieve itching. Most important, avoid scratching as it can lead to infection or scarring. If the bite becomes red, swollen, or warm, or if you develop fever or swollen glands, seek medical attention to rule out the possibility of tularemia.
Follow these tips to avoid being bitten by deer flies or black flies. Wear light-colored clothing because they’re drawn to dark colors and motion. Long sleeves, hats, and collars help prevent bites on shoulders and necks. Use repellent: DEET and permethrin-treated clothing are moderately effective; picaridin may help too. Keep moving. They have trouble keeping up with brisk movement, paddling or hiking quickly. Avoid bright sunlight and swampy edges. Staying in shaded or breezy areas reduces encounters. Some campers attach sticky traps (like Tred-Not or homemade blue cup traps) to hats. Deer flies are drawn to the color and get stuck. If flies are thick and you don’t have repellent, wear a light bandana around your neck and a hat with a wide brim or mesh veil. They tend to go for the head and neck first, so protecting those areas makes a big difference.
Bees and their close cousins, wasps and hornets, are common in campgrounds, along rivers, and near picnic areas. They’re a frequent cause of painful stings and allergic reactions. Honeybees are golden brown with fuzzy, striped bodies. They’re usually gentle and focused on collecting nectar or pollen. They can be found near flowering plants, wild meadows, and hollow trees, and sometimes near old cabins or sheds. Honeybees can sting only once but their barbed stinger remains in your skin. Pollinators are rarely aggressive unless provoked or stepped on. Bumble bees have round, fuzzy, black-and-yellow bodies and are larger than honeybees. Generally docile but they will defend their nest fiercely if disturbed. You’ll find their nests in the ground, under logs, or in old rodent burrows. It’s easy to step on their nests accidentally while hiking or camping. They can sting multiple times, though they rarely do. Wasps, including yellow jackets and paper wasps are more aggressive than bees. They are drawn to food, sweet drinks, and trash. They have smooth, shiny bodies with narrow waists and yellow or black markings. Yellowjackets build underground or hidden nests, especially in rodent holes. Paper wasps build gray, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, picnic tables, or latrines. They both have a painful, burning sting, and can sting repeatedly. Hornets are large, up to 1 inch, black and white, with sleek bodies. They are very defensive around their paper nests, which hang from trees or structures. Their sting is very painful plus they can sting multiple times. The stings may cause significant swelling.
If you’re stung, remove the stinger if it’s from a honeybee. Look for a tiny black dot with a venom sac attached. Scrape it out with the edge of a credit card or knife blade. Don’t pinch or pull it with fingers, as that squeezes more venom in. Wash the sting site with soap and water. Apply antiseptic or alcohol wipes to reduce infection risk. Apply a cold compress or ice pack for 10–15 minutes at a time. If you don’t have access to ice, press something cold from your cooler against the sting.
A paste of baking soda and water can neutralize bee venom, while a vinegar-soaked cloth can help ease wasp stings. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. Use hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine lotion for itching. Mild allergic reactions include redness, swelling, or itching beyond the sting area. Serious (anaphylactic) reactions can develop quickly, within minutes, and are life-threatening. Call for emergency help immediately if there is difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of lips, tongue, or face, dizziness, confusion, or rapid heartbeat. If you or a fellow camper has a known allergy, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) immediately and seek medical attention.
Here’s how to avoid stings. Stay calm. Bees and wasps sting when threatened. Swatting or flailing makes things worse. Watch your step. Avoid walking barefoot in clover, wildflowers, or grassy fields where bees forage. Check your surroundings. Look for nests before setting up camp, eating, or hanging food. Keep food sealed and covered. Bees and wasps love sweet drinks, fruit, and meats. Perfumes, lotions, and fruity soaps attract stinging insects. Wear light, plain clothing. Bright colors and floral prints can look like flowers to bees. Don’t block flight paths. If you see a bee flying repeatedly in the same direction, you may be near its nest. Quietly move away. Bees and wasps sometimes hover near the water to drink or collect wood pulp for nests. Avoid slapping them. If one lands on you, stay still as it’ll usually fly off after a few seconds. Never leave open drink cans or sweet beverages in your boat. Stinging insects love to crawl inside.
We have some final tips for avoiding being eaten to death by bugs. Bugs hate smoke. At your campfire, sit where the smoke drifts or waft it gently overexposed skin and clothing. Toss fresh or dried herbs such as sage, pine needles, cedar, mint, or rosemary into the fire. The scent helps repel mosquitos and gnats. If possible, make a small smudge fire with damp wood or green leaves create extra smoke to drive bugs away from your camp area. Rub aromatic plants like wild mint, basil, lavender, catnip, pennyroyal, or sweet fern lightly on skin or clothing. Crush cedar or pine needles. Their oils deter many insects. Lemon balm or wild bergamot oils act as mild repellents. If desperate, a thin layer of mud or ash from a campfire on exposed skin can deter black flies and gnats temporarily. Keep clean. Sweat and scented products attract bugs. Rinse off when you can, and avoid perfumes, lotions, or fruity soaps. Control food odors, keeping food sealed and away from where you sleep.
Bugs are part of the wilderness experience, but they don’t have to take over your trip. By dressing smart, using repellents, and knowing how to identify and treat bites, you can keep the buzzing and biting to a minimum. More importantly, being aware of infection and allergy risks ensures you can act fast when it really matters. With a little preparation, you’ll spend less time swatting and scratching, and more time enjoying the beauty of camping and canoeing in the wild.
