Keeping Bugs at Bay: Natural Ways to Avoid Being Eaten Alive
- UKSN
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Few things ruin an otherwise perfect bushcraft outing or UKSN camp faster than relentless midges, mosquitoes or creepy crawlies. For our outdoor-loving community, including families, prepping enthusiasts and self-sufficiency aficionados, learning how to keep bugs at bay is essential. In this guide, we have gathered tried-and-tested, natural methods to repel insects and relieve bites without resorting to any potentially harmful chemicals.

Understand the Enemy
Understanding insect habits gives you a head start:
Peak activity: Many insects such as mosquitoes and midges are most active at dawn and dusk. Avoid being outside, or be especially guarded, at these times.
Habitat hotspots: Bugs thrive near still water, dense undergrowth or humid, warm areas.
Long grass and debris: Especially for chiggers, which cause intense, long-lasting itching, you will want to keep grass trimmed and remove organic litter around camping areas.
Gear Up with Smart Clothing Choices
Simple clothing strategies can drastically cut down on bugs:
Light-coloured, long-sleeved layers: These make it harder for insects, especially ticks, to spot you and give greater coverage.
Tucking trousers into socks: Ideal for woodland walks and helps keep out ticks and midges.
Mosquito netting: A must-have with tents when midges are about, even indoors.
Natural Bug Repellents You Can Make or Find
Orange peel spray
Boil orange peels in water for 15 minutes, cool, then funnel into a spray bottle. The citrus scent, rich in limonene, repels mosquitoes naturally and the aroma is rather pleasant.
Essential oil sprays
A range of readily available oils demonstrate insect-repellent qualities:
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD): Offers similar protection to low-strength DEET and can be effective for up to three hours when correctly formulated.
Cinnamon oil: Acts as both repellent and egg killer, but must be diluted to avoid skin irritation.
Geraniol: Found in geranium and lemongrass oils, offers 2 to 4 hours of insect deterrent when diluted.
Catnip oil: Surprisingly potent and some studies suggest it is more effective than synthetic repellents.
Thyme oil: Mix with clove oil for a repellent combination, or toss thyme onto the campfire for smoke-based deterrence which can give around 85% protection for up to 90 minutes.
Other helpful oils include citronella, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, clove, tea-tree, neem, castor, geranium and lemongrass. All have varying degrees of natural deterrent effect.
DIY recipe ideas:
Lemon eucalyptus spray: Mix coconut oil with lemon eucalyptus oil and apply to skin.
Lavender spray: Combine lavender oil with distilled water and apple cider vinegar for a gentle, fragrant repellent.
Garlic perimeter spray: Boil garlic cloves in water and spray around your camp boundary (not on skin) as the sulphur scent repels mosquitoes.
Apple cider vinegar herb spray: Steep rosemary, lavender, mint and thyme in vinegar for two weeks, then dilute for an all-around herbal shield.
Everyday Household Hacks
You do not always need exotic oils, sometimes your kitchen or laundry can help:
Tumble dryer sheets: Containing linalool and beta-citronellol, these can be placed in pockets, rubbed on exposed skin, or laid around your camping area to create a low-cost scent-based barrier.
Pine needle smoke: Outdoors, burning pine needles creates aromatic smoke that naturally repels insects, handy when you are without sprays.
Environmental Control Techniques
Remove standing water: A straightforward way to cut mosquito breeding zones.
Trim vegetation: Keeps chiggers and ticks at bay by disrupting their habitat.
Camp smart: Choose breezy spots as air movement helps keep flying insects away.
Invite natural predators: Bats, birds and even chickens can help keep local mosquito populations in check. Consider bird boxes or similar at your site.
Relief When Bites Happen
Even with precautions, bites happen. Here is how to soothe them naturally:
Oatmeal paste or bath: Mix oats with water into a paste or add to a bath to relieve itching and swelling.
Cold compress or ice: Numbs inflamed skin. Apply for 5 to 10 minutes with a cloth barrier if using ice.
Baking soda paste: Mix with water and apply for itch relief.
Honey, aloe vera, chamomile tea or basil: Gentle, soothing kitchen remedies for minor bites.
Practical Tips for Families and Children
Keep products out of reach and never spray directly on a child’s face. Spray into your hands and then apply carefully.
Wash off repellents after coming indoors and wash treated clothing before reuse.
Avoid repellent-infused candles around children, especially if they have breathing sensitivities.
Integrating These Approaches into Your UKSN Charter and Camps
Pre-event planning: Advise members/family/friends to pack essential-oil-based sprays or ingredients, plus tumble dryer sheets.
Camp setup: Choose breezy, well-drained sites, keep grass trimmed and lighting subdued at dusk.
Group workshops: Run quick DIY sessions showing how to make lavender spray or lemon eucalyptus blends using basic supplies.
Shared kits: Provide communal jars of oatmeal or baking soda sachets for relief stations in camp.
Educate: Remind members/family/friends about peak bite hours, the importance of covering up, and checking for ticks or chiggers before bedtime.
Conclusion
Whether you are out in the Highlands, the Lake District, or exploring hidden UK woodland, staying bite-free comes down to being prepared, observant and resourceful. With a combination of smart clothing, campsite choices and simple natural repellents, many of which you can make at home, you will enhance that uninterrupted sense of adventure we value here at UKSN. And when bites do occur, kitchen staples like oatmeal, honey or baking soda can be the soothing difference.
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