One of the most frustrating parts of camping is getting stung by a swarm of aggressive, nippy and persistent wasps that hunt down all the picnic treats you have scattered around your campsite. We all hate being chased by angry insects while we eat our sandwiches or barbecue some fish eggs, but when you’re sleeping in your tent, it’s the last thing you want to experience when you wake up in the morning. After all, you went through all the discomfort of camping just to be able to eat what you want whenever you want, but that’s not the case. You are the victim of a crime and it’s up to you to get your camp experience back by taking revenge on the insects that ruined your excursion into the great British outdoors. But how? Where do you start? Let’s explore the options.
Take A Sharp Injector
While this may sound like an unorthodox approach, it’s been known to work. If you have a really strong will and are dedicated to the cause, you can get a hold of a syringe and, acting as a one-man eco-friendly insecticide, squirt the little shits into submission. We can’t recommend this method too strongly as being extremely dangerous if you’re not trained in first aid. Besides, you’ll need a bit of elbow grease to make sure the needle isn’t too badly clogged up after each use. Still, if you’re determined to rid yourself of the nuisances once and for all, this is one method worth trying. Just make sure you’re either very safe around chemicals or wear gloves to prevent contact with the toxin as you apply it to the affected area.
Put Up A Few Piles Of Bait
We all remember being stung as a child by a giant honey bee or angry wasp. One of the best ways to avoid being eaten alive by these bloodthirsty creatures is to make sure there’s plenty of food for them. Bait is a great way to do that. You can get some of those small fish with long, slim tails commonly known as minnows or else some of those big ball-shaped creatures known as blackworms and lay them out in front of your tent in a few discreet places. This is a great way to attract lots of annoying bugs, but it’s also a pain to gather all of these disgusting creatures every evening just so you can bait them and kill off the insects. For a more convenient and eco-friendly alternative, you can get some canned food and lay it out in the open. The little buggers will come running, thinking it’s some kind of a buffet and dive in headfirst, bellies full of fury. If you can find yourself some old fishing hooks and some pliers, you can also turn these unwanted catch into little balls of bait you can lay out whenever you want.
Invent A Bug Repellent
Every insect has its own unique scent that it uses to identify members of its species. If you can capture and identify this scent, you can recreate it with the use of chemicals and create a spray that will drive the bugs away. But this is a laborious process and quite often the stink of the chemicals used in the making of these sprays is just as bad as the insects themselves. A better option is to go the eco-friendly route once more, creating a natural bug repellent with essential oils and other such fragrant compounds. You can make your own insect repelling perfume by simply spiking up some of the essential oils that are commonly found in plants, especially in the mint family. With careful experimentation, you can determine which smells your bugs hate the most and work your way up the scent hierarchy. We don’t recommend making a habit of this though, as you may find that after a while, the smell of your repellent begins to grate on the nerves of those around you or else your family and friends begin to avoid you because of your incessant groaning and head burrowing! Still, if you must go this route, make sure you aren’t allergic to insect bites.
Go Brave
Even though we hate getting stung by insects, we also have a soft spot for baby animals. They don’t pose any threat to us and, in many cases, are simply looking for some food and shelter. You can find baby birds, squirrels, frogs and other such creatures in your local area and it’s up to you to help them avoid becoming food for bigger animals, like cats. They might not smell or taste the same as us but, if approached by a feline, they will never survive. You can also gently brush off any insects that may have landed on your baby animal while they are sleeping, as this will help them feel reassured and secure enough to stay asleep. This is especially important if you plan on camping overnight as the babies are likely to wake up in the night and then become frustrated, setting off a vicious circle of begging and nippy whining. Not good for anyone’s nerves!
Sow Some Seeds
Sowing seeds is another great way to attract unwanted insects. Different types of seeds have different effects, some acting as food, while others (like the cherry tomato) are known to be a magnet for fruit wasps. When you get a small band of hungry seed eating creatures crawling around your campsite, you’ll soon realize just how much damage they can cause. Like most other creatures, insects crave some form of vitamin C. So, if you can get your hands on a source of natural vitamin C, like strawberries or kiwi fruit, you’ll be providing your little guests with what they need to stay strong and healthy. If you want to play it safe though, you can also resort to using an anti-venom serum spray or treating them with an insecticide that contains the chemical nipa pelagicux. Even then, some seeds can still produce viable offspring, so you may get some unwanted guests crawling around your campsite even after you’ve taken all the precautions you can think of.
Check The Web
The World Wide Web is a treasure trove of information when it comes to learning about nature and the various ways in which it can ruin your holiday. Besides, there are plenty of forums where you can find experts who will help you sort out any problems you may encounter while traveling in the British countryside. For example, if you’re going to be camping and suspect that your tent is at risk of being overtaken by creatures from the insect world, you can look up some information on the forums to see if anyone else has had a similar experience. Knowing that there are other people in the world who share the same fear and loathing of insects as you do is reassuring, especially if you’re traveling somewhere remote. It also helps when you’re trying to decide which methods to use to rid yourself of your intruders. If you’re dead set on using chemicals, there are plenty of forums where you can find experts who will help you pick the right kind and in the right concentration for your needs. Not every post is going to be as helpful though, so you need to be on the lookout for forums that are more suited to your needs. Sometimes you may have to search a while to find one but, when you do, all your problems will seem insignificant compared to what you’re able to learn. Knowing that there are people out there who understand what you’re going through is worth more than any amount of money or comfort any company could offer you.
Getting stung by insects is one of the worst things that can happen to you when traveling, but it’s also one of the most frustrating. Still, if you want to beat the swarm and reclaim your peace, you’re going to have to put in the leg work. The important thing to keep in mind is that you’re not alone, not in this fight. You have friends in the countryside who would gladly help you rid yourself of these unwanted guests once and for all. With a little bit of luck and preparation, the great British outdoors can still be great for camping. Just make sure that you’re not being reckless or otherwise hurting yourself while you do it.