When you think of bugs, you think of hell on earth. While exploring the wilderness, there is no shortage of creepy crawly and flying things that can inhibit your enjoyment of the natural environment. The Adirondack park wilderness is no exception. Black flies, no-see-um’s, deer flies, and mosquitoes are some of the biting foes that call the park home. Bugs are especially relevant with the warming temperatures due to the global warming debacle. On my camping trips, I have repeatedly been confronted with how to deal with the nuisances. Being averse to chemicals, it has been hard for me to find ways around getting bitten. However, there are a multitude of ways to ensure that your trip is not hindered by the pests even without using chemicals.
While the chief way to protect yourself from bugs is by using chemical deterrents, many individuals are not fans of this method. DEET is a popular pesticide used to keep away bugs. Although DEET is the most effective chemical, it can pose problems in that it degrades fabrics, especially those that have waterproofing properties. If DEET is too strong, natural substances such as citronella oil or cedar oil prove to be effective and won’t ruin your expensive gear. However, these natural sources are not as effective as DEET and so many shy away from them.
If you dislike chemicals all together you can also turn to physical barriers to defend yourself from bugs. The best physical barrier is loose clothing that creates space between the cloth and your skin. One article of clothing that I have used that is exceptionally useful is the Bug Shirt. It is a full shirt with a mesh hood that protects your upper body from bugs. Sometimes it is necessary to seal off any openings to your skin to protect your self as best as possible.
You may think that bug protection doesn’t apply to you because you just won’t go into the park to begin with, but with warming temperatures, bugs are becoming more prevalent. In addition, they are becoming more dangerous because they carry harmful diseases. However, the wilderness experience is not complete without the creatures that live in the park, including bugs. They may be obnoxious to deal with but with the right steps you can be completely protected and enjoy the natural experience all at the same time.
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Wow. I had no idea such attire existed. Does anyone make a business off selling stuff like this? Is there any environmental harm caused by the creation of these bug shirts?
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