The weather has been warmer than ever, which means there’ll be many more summer adventures to come. With all the camping, hiking and cottage visits, it’s no surprise that you’ll be encountering many insects along your trip. But that’s to be expected when you’re venturing out into the wilderness. What you should be worried about is how not to attract insects from coming home with you. It’s very easy for them to cling onto your clothes, hide in your belongings and catch a ride with you home. They’re hard to see, hard to contain and hard to capture. Without careful monitoring, the bugs that come home with you can very easily be the cause of a home pest infestation. So, what are the best tactics to keep bugs from travelling home with you? Let’s get started.

1. Use Insect Repellent

This is one of the more obvious methods. But if you frequent the outdoors often, then you’ll know that this is only a temporary fix and not a tactic you can solely rely on. Before you purchase insect repellent, make sure to look out for the active ingredients. Some active ingredients are not safe for infants, whereas some active ingredients can only be sprayed on clothing. Make sure you find one that meets your needs and requirements. Find a bug spray that’s water-resistant for longer wear in hot weather and don’t forget to reapply every few hours for maximum effect. Sweat also attracts insects. Don’t forget you can spray insect repellant on other items as well, such as your tent, camping bags and chairs. This will keep insects from attaching themselves or hiding in those items.

2. Wear Appropriate Clothing

As hot as it can be, make sure you are wearing clothing that covers exposed skin. This will decrease the chances of scratches, stings, bug bites and provide you with an extra layer of sun protection. Something to keep in mind, you should steer clear of dark clothing. Not only will it absorb the most heat, but dark clothing actually agitates and attract insects like mosquitos, wasps and bees. However, there are some bright colours you should stay away from as well which include bright yellow, orange, blue and purple. These bright colours attract specific insects similar to flowers. Symmetrical patterns have the same effect, the best bet is to wear solid colours. You can’t go wrong wearing a loose-fitting plain white shirt. Insects don’t care for the colour white hence why beekeeper suits are white. It also makes it easier to see if any bugs like ticks are attached to your clothing.

3. Avoid Attractive Insect Habitats

Insects just like any other animals like to build their homes near accessible food and water sources. Specifically, still water and tall grass. Try to avoid standing around lakes and ponds for long periods of time. Bugs like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and carpenter ants are attracted to standing water. Female mosquitos specifically, like to lay their eggs near bodies of water. Whereas certain insects like fleas, beetles, and ticks prefer tall grass. It gives them the ability to hide in shady areas while providing them with plenty of food. Keep your campsite, gear, and equipment away from these specific areas. Stick to high and dry grounds for the least amount of insect interactions.

4. Alternative Methods

There are other methods, tips and tricks that can help you prevent bugs from coming home with you. Here’s our list:

  • Before you pack everything up, shake out your duffel bags, backpacks, blankets, and other items to loosen up any bugs that may be hiding.
  • Use candles, dried herb sachets, and repellent coils as extra countermeasures.
  • Keep your campsite clean, and store food away properly as the smell will attract more insects.
  • Tuck your clothing into your socks and pants to prevent bugs from going inside your clothes.
  • If you’re not feeling adventurous, stick to the trail and stay away from bushes, branches and grassy areas.
  • Once you get home, unpack all your stuff over a plastic bag and take anything you can straight into the laundry.

Contact Action Pest for Pest Infestations

Insect bites and stings affect everyone differently. Some might not have any reaction, whereas someone else may experience a potentially deadly anaphylactic shock. Regardless, there are many diseases and illnesses that can be contracted due to insects. The best course of action is to try our best to do what we can to protect ourselves outdoors. Even then, coming into contact with insects is inevitable when you go camping or hiking. Even with all the precautions, one or two bugs may slip into your home. The few bugs don’t necessarily warrant concern but keep in mind, the sooner you notice an infestation the easier it’ll be to get rid of them.

Nonetheless, if an infestation ever occurs, you have a reliable and trustworthy pest control company such as Action Pest at your service. They have at least 40 years of expertise in handling pest control and pest removal in both commercial and residential settings. Their process includes inspection, removal, and monitoring. They guarantee 100% satisfaction and are available for consultation anytime 7 days a week. Contact Action Pest today for more information on their services, strategies and the best solution for you.