Had my very first Bikepack trip Milano-Pavia… Stayed in a campsite but could manage to get hours of good sleep besides mosquitoes & fear…
You guys have any tips for falling asleep? how you manage mosquitoes? used DEET 50% and prallethrin tables but still got eaten alive
by MediumEmotional4319
14 Comments
Skeeter net
You could try tiger balm to repel the mosquitoes. What are you afraid of specifically? Could it get better as you get more experience?
Tent solves the bug issue. Plan evenings at established campgrounds for feeling a bit more safe
Edit:just saw that you’re already at a campground… fear of people or animals?
It sounds nuts but they are attracted to CO2 so every exhale has the potential to draw them closer. Short of holding your breath of course, if you solve the CO2 issue you’ll have minimal mosquitoes.
I will die on this hill that summer is the worst time to go camping. Everyone has awful memories of it being super hot and muggy and there’s bug everywhere and it doesn’t get dark until late so the fire doesn’t look super pretty until like 11. If you go camping in literally any other season you can swear longer clothes and it’s cozier, there are less bugs, the fire is more impressive sooner, the wild life is harassing you less because they’re not expecting people during other parts of the year as much, you’re not sunburned on the first day because you’re wearing longer clothing, and low key people are more impressed when you go camping other times of the year. I went camping in the winter and it was awesome and people were more interested in talking about it with me and I got to be soooooo cozy. Sorry, had to get that out.
Beating off
Are you just sleeping out in the open? If so, that’s your problem. Get a tent and kill the ones that get in before you go to bed.
Mosquito coils
Have you considered a tent?
Otherwise insect spray is your best bet. You could also start a fire, kick it down to embers, and then toss an arm full of green wood on top. If you start bathing with citronella soap a week ahead of your trip that also helps.
The fear is normal if you aren’t used to sleeping outdoors. After a few nights it goes away. I’ve been doing this for 7 years now and I’ve never had animals or humans bother me.
You’re in northern Italy and just sleeping out in the open and wondering what to do about the mosquitos?!?! I cycled across northern Italy in the summer a few years ago and the mosquitos were the worst of anywhere I’ve ever been. I feel like you don’t need us to tell you you need a tent.
Drugs?
Cowboy camping or natural camping is a mistake, it doesn’t matter when, where, why or how. Just get yourself proper sleeping equipment, whether it’s a tent or a hammock with bug net, or literally whatever. Just don’t sleep on the ground in the open, it’s foolish, always.
I’ve got a bugnet not entirely unlike the MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh, but mine was a fraction of the price (and made by a manufacturer that isn’t around any more).
fear is the mind killer. the more more you think the more paranoid you get.
you will be just fine. dont stress what is out of your control.
as of mosquitoes, repellent or a tent is your only option
or i’m sure there are some sort of foods that you can eat that they’re not fond of