Bugged by bugs? Tell them to take a hike

BUGS! YOU JUST CAN’T escape them. Rain! You can count on it. Should we just stay home? No worries. Read on.

NO BUG MAGNETS, PLEASE

Fragrant soaps, perfume, shampoo and scented deodorants are bug magnets. Avoid using them the day before you go into the outback and don’t bring them with you.

Loose clothes provide plenty of ventilation and are comfortable for long hikes or canoe trips. Tucking in pant legs and shirt tails will also minimize bug bites around ankles, wrists and waist.

Wear plenty of bug spray, especially around your neck, behind your ears and on the crown of your head. These places are often forgotten and provide easy access for black flies and mosquitoes.

Reduce exposure to biting insects by steering clear of tall grass and dense undergrowth, which are prime breeding places for mosquitoes, tics and black flies.

PACKING YOUR GEAR

Before heading out, line backpacks with big garbage bags or dry bags. Place your clothes and sleeping bag inside and roll the bag shut to prevent water from getting in. Remember, it takes a long time for things to dry out in the wilderness!

Every morning, when repacking your bag for the day, pack the things used often at the top of the pack for easy access. Put items at the bottom that you won’t need until you set up camp for the night.

WILDERNESS INSECT PROTECTION

BEFORE SETTING up camp, check your campsite for anthills, wasp or hornet nets. No one wants uninvited visitors, especially at meal time. Mosquitoes and black flies love still water during breeding season in May and June — something to consider when setting up your tent. Find a fairly breezy spot (usually on high ground) to cool you down on hot days and keep away flying pests. Bugs hate smoke, so why not keep a camp fire going? When car camping, a screened canopy makes a good makeshift kitchen. It’s not quite rustic outdoor camping, but it will keep the bugs out!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Wearing synthetic sock-liners under your wool or synthetic socks will help your feet stay warm and dry. The sock-liners absorb sweat and dampness and allow your feet to breath. They also reduce blisters.

Shoes should fit properly. If you buy new shoes or boots before your trip, break them in by wearing them around town before hitting the trails. This will minimize the chance of blisters and avoid sore feet on the trip.

Remember to dress appropriately for the temperature outside and your daily activities.

EAT RIGHT

Purify all water before you drink it, no matter how clean it looks. You can boil it for 3-5 minutes, treat it with purifiers like iodine, or pump it through a filter.

If you get tired easily or find yourself feeling cold, eat an extra snack and have a drink of water. Staying hydrated and eating healthy snacks will build energy and stoke up your internal furnace.

At the start and finish of each day, eat a hot meal. During the day, unless the temperature is low, stick to snacks and cold lunches. This way, you can spend more time on the trails or on the water, and less time worrying about repacking the stove and utensils.

When it’s cold and rainy, no one wants to prepare dinner. Take freezedried meals as easy-to-prepare dinners. Sitting under a tarp out of the rain, you’ll appreciate the quick, warm meal much more.

WRAPPING UP LOOSE ENDS

Even if your route is well marked, you should know how to use a map and compass before you set out on your trip.

When setting up the tent, find a leafy or mossy area. This will be softer to sleep on, drain better, and you won’t wake up damp.

Give a copy of your itinerary, route map, the number of people, emergency information, leaving date, and expected return with a friend. Make sure the person is willing to look for you if you don’t get back on time.

When you climb into bed, pull out the clothes that you want to wear the next day. Put them in the sleeping bag with you so they’re pre-heated for morning.

In the morning, unzip your sleeping bag to remove any moisture from the previous night. To restore loftiness, shake it and let it air out on a clothes line or branch before stuffing it into its bag. Avoid rolling it up every time, especially to store it for prolonged periods because it causes the down or insulation to bunch up and it won’t keep you as warm.