Nothing ruins a family camping trip faster than seeing your child covered in itchy bug bites. Their sensitive skin might react more severely to bites and stings, which could lead to a sleepless night. With these tips and tools, you can find ways of protecting your kids from insects on your next camping trip.

Choose the Right Insect Repellent

DEET-based repellents work best for older children, but use products with 30 percent DEET or less on children over 2 months old. If they’re younger or have particularly sensitive skin, picaridin offers similar protection without the harsh chemical smell.

Natural alternatives such as citronella, eucalyptus oil, and cedar oil provide mild protection for short outdoor activities. These work better as an addition to your primary defense against mosquitoes and ticks.

Apply repellent to exposed skin and clothing, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth areas. Reapply according to package directions, especially after swimming or sweating during active play.

Set Up Smart Campsite Barriers

Physical barriers offer the most reliable protection without chemicals. Bug screens for tents, pop-up shelters, and RV windows create insect-free zones where children can play safely. The science behind mesh sizing shows that mesh density stops different types of insects, so choose screens based on the bugs common in your camping area.

Position your campsite away from standing water, dense brush, and flowering plants that attract insects. Set up camp in breezy areas when possible, since moving air makes it harder for flying insects to land and bite.

Pick Bug-Repelling Clothing

Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes can help keep insects away since it’s harder for them to land or bite through the fabric. Long sleeves and pants are your best bet for full coverage, even on warm days. Just go for lightweight, breathable fabrics so kids stay cool and comfy while they’re running around.

Permethrin-treated clothing offers long-lasting protection that survives multiple washes. This treatment bonds to fabric fibers and repels or kills insects on contact. You can buy pretreated clothes or apply permethrin treatment to existing garments.

Handle Special Situations Safely

Children with bee or wasp allergies need extra precautions during outdoor activities. Pack emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors, and know how to use them. Teach children to stay calm and move slowly away from stinging insects rather than swatting or running.

Protecting children while camping is especially important for those who react more severely to insect bites, developing large welts or blisters. Anti-inflammatory medications and cooling gels help manage reactions when bites do occur.

Check children thoroughly for ticks each evening, paying special attention to hairlines, behind ears, and in skin folds. Remove ticks promptly with tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight out without twisting.

Your family deserves to create lasting memories without the constant annoyance and discomfort of insect bites. With these tips, you can focus on what matters most: watching your children discover the wonder of nature in comfort and safety.