Camping Insect Protection Checklist: Mosquitoes, Ticks and Midges

Key takeaways

• The most reliable camping insect defence combines three layers: an EPA-registered repellent on skin, permethrin-treated or covering clothing, and a well-sealed tent with intact mesh.
• Mosquitoes, ticks and biting midges each behave differently — mosquitoes hunt at dawn and dusk, ticks wait in long grass and leaf litter, and midges swarm in still, humid air near water.
• For a plant-based option, health authorities such as the CDC and EPA list PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol) alongside DEET, picaridin and IR3535 as effective active ingredients.
• Do a full-body tick check every evening and again before you sleep — prompt removal within 24 hours dramatically lowers infection risk.
• Pack a simple kit: repellent, after-bite relief, fine-tipped tweezers, a head net for midge country, and light long-sleeved layers.

A camping trip turns miserable fast when the biting starts. Mosquitoes, ticks and midges are not just an itchy nuisance — in parts of Europe they can carry Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and other infections. The good news: a layered, low-effort routine keeps almost all of them off you. This checklist walks through what to pack, how to set up camp, and what to do each day and night so you can enjoy the outdoors instead of swatting through it.

Know your enemy: mosquitoes vs ticks vs midges

Different insects need different tactics. Understanding when and where each one bites is half the battle.

Midges deserve special mention. In places like the Scottish Highlands they arrive in clouds, and because they are so small, ordinary mosquito mesh may not stop them — you want a fine-mesh head net rated for midges.

Before you go: the packing checklist

Build your kit around three protective layers plus after-care. Pack these before you leave:

• Skin repellent — an EPA-registered active such as PMD, DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
• Covering clothing — light, long-sleeved tops and long trousers in pale colours (ticks and midges are easier to spot on light fabric).
• A head net for midge or heavy-mosquito country.
• Permethrin spray for clothing and gear (apply to fabric, never to skin) if you are heading into tick-heavy woodland.
• Fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover for prompt, clean removal.
• After-bite relief to calm itching and stop scratching.
• A tent with intact, fine mesh — check for holes and repair them at home, not at the campsite.

Setting up camp to keep bugs out

Where and how you pitch matters as much as what you spray on. A few site choices cut your exposure dramatically:

• Pitch away from standing water. Ponds, marsh and slow streams are mosquito and midge nurseries — camp on higher, drier, breezier ground.
• Use the breeze. Midges and mosquitoes are weak fliers; a gentle wind keeps them grounded, so favour an exposed spot over a sheltered, stagnant hollow.
• Keep the tent zipped. Close the inner mesh whenever you are not actively going in or out, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Mind the light. Lanterns draw insects — keep bright lights away from the tent entrance, and switch to a lower, warmer light near the door.
• Clear vegetation. Avoid pitching in long grass or leaf litter where ticks wait; a mown or gravel pitch is far safer.

The daily and nightly routine

During the day

• Reapply repellent as directed on the label, especially after swimming or heavy sweating.
• Tuck trousers into socks when walking through long grass or woodland to block ticks at ankle level.
• Stay covered during dawn and dusk peaks — that is when mosquito activity spikes.

Every evening and before bed

• Do a full-body tick check. Ticks favour warm, hidden areas — behind knees, groin, waistband, armpits, hairline and behind the ears. Check children and pets too.
• Remove any attached tick immediately with fine-tipped tweezers: grasp close to the skin and pull straight up with steady pressure. Do not twist, burn or smother it.
• Clean the bite and note the date. If a spreading rash or flu-like symptoms appear over the following weeks, see a doctor and mention the bite.

How incognito® helps

If you want a DEET-free option that still uses an active ingredient recommended by health authorities, incognito’s repellents are built on PMD — the same class of plant-based active the CDC and EPA list alongside DEET. The formulas are clinically proven, vegan, biodegradable, and recommended against both mosquitoes and ticks, which makes them a practical single solution for camping where you face more than one biter at once.

For a multi-day trip, the Elite Traveller Bundle packages the essentials together, or you can pack the standalone Insect Repellent Spray 100ml for everyday cover. Whatever you choose, always follow the label for reapplication and age guidance.

Quick camping insect kit — grab-and-go list

1. Repellent (PMD, DEET, picaridin or IR3535)
2. Fine-mesh head net
3. Light long-sleeved layers and long trousers
4. Permethrin clothing spray (tick country)
5. Fine-tipped tweezers / tick remover
6. After-bite relief
7. Tent with intact mesh

FAQs

What is the best insect repellent for camping?
Choose an EPA-registered active ingredient — DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or the plant-based PMD. All are recommended by health authorities; PMD is the effective plant-based option if you prefer a DEET-free product.

How do I keep midges away when camping?
Camp on breezy, higher ground away from water, wear a fine-mesh head net rated for midges, cover up at dusk, and apply repellent. Midges are weak fliers, so even a light wind helps enormously.

How often should I check for ticks while camping?
Do a full-body tick check every evening and again before bed, plus a quick look any time you have walked through long grass or woodland. Removing a tick within 24 hours greatly reduces infection risk.

Can one repellent protect against mosquitoes, ticks and midges?
Yes — a repellent with an EPA-registered active such as PMD or DEET can deter mosquitoes, ticks and midges, though covering clothing and a head net add important extra protection in heavy midge or tick areas.

Is DEET-free repellent effective enough for camping?
Yes. PMD is listed by the CDC and EPA alongside DEET as an effective active ingredient, so a well-formulated DEET-free PMD repellent is a sound choice for camping when applied as directed.

What should I do after a mosquito or midge bite?
Clean the area, avoid scratching, and use an after-bite relief product or a cold compress to calm itching. See a doctor if you develop a spreading rash, swelling or fever.

Sources

• CDC — Prevent Mosquito Bites
• CDC — Preventing Tick Bites
• EPA — Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients
• ECDC — Protective measures against mosquitoes
• NHS — Insect bites and stings

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always follow the product label for use and age guidance, and consult a healthcare professional about bites, symptoms or travel to areas with insect-borne disease.