Four essentials that keep bugs away

You're not dinner. (Brooks Rice via Unsplash/)

While some might disagree on how to keep mosquitoes, white socks, horseflies, and other biting insects off our skin, we all agree that biting insects are the quickest way to ruin an otherwise great weekend outside. Some people may prefer old-fashioned DEET, but many don’t want it on their skin. And for some of us, just having biting insects hovering around our faces is enough to make us run inside. Fortunately, we have four options perfect for any situation or preference, whether sitting in camp, casting a line into a river or trudging up a mountain.

Bug and stink free. (Aamazon/)

We understand you if you don’t want to spray yourselves with a chemical reminiscent of your childhood Scout camp. That’s why we’re recommending insect repellent lotion by Sawyer. It’s effective for up to 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies. It also repels the yellow fever mosquito which transmits the Zika virus. Consumer Reports even listed it as the Fishermen’s Formula. Cover yourself and your family and don’t worry about damage to clothes, backpacks, fishing, or hunting gear.

Douse your outerwear. (Amazon/)

Not into coating your skin with spray or lotion day after day outside? Instead, spray down your clothes and let them do the repelling for you. One bottle treats up to eight articles of clothing and lasts up to six weeks or six washings. It doesn’t damage or stain your clothes, and is as effective as 100 percent DEET at keeping all the nastiest biting insects away. It’s also odorless after it dries and ideal for hunting.

Mock the insects on the other side. (Amazon /)

Bug repellents are great when you’re on the go, but they can start to drive you crazy swarming in camp. Try this Coleman screenhouse to keep yourself, and your family, bug-free while cooking, drinking and relaxing after a day on the trail or river. This is also a perfect fit for our furry friends in camp who are harder to keep bug-free. Two large doors offer easy access and it sets up quickly in just about a minute. As a bonus, the tent also offers sun protection up to 50 UPF.

Cloak yourself with invisible bug repellent. (Amazon/)

Stop for a quick trail-side picnic? Want to sit outside but don’t have the time or space to set up a tent? Fire up this Thermacell, wait a few minutes for the zone of protection to form, and watch the mosquitoes thin. It’s scent-free, DEET-free, durable, and small. One cartridge lasts for 12 hours, and the repeller charges with a USB cord. When you’re done, simply turn it off, tuck it in your bag, and pull it out the next time with no bug spray residue.