10 tips to avoid insect bites

Who hasn't had a bug bite? Who has never been afraid of a firebug bite? Who hasn't scratched frantically after an insect bite?


These greedy vampires are as much The most important of these is the maintenance of the food chain and the reproduction of plants, but what a scourge for us outdoor enthusiasts!


In Quebec, although the diversity of insects is great, I propose you to discover or rediscover 5 insects that you know well around here.


You know, first you have to know your own people. enemies and then to face them better!

So how do we prevent it? Should we stay at home all summer long while these voracious animals die out? Not at all! With Mount Trail, I offer you 10 tips to be ready for your next nature trip!



  • Tip #1: 

    Wear long clothes. It may be better to skip the shorts, but pants are preferable. Closed shoes and a hat will be your allies as well. (We'll come back for a tan!)

  • Tip #2: 

    Wear light-coloured clothing. This will help you to better discern the bugs that are on top of you.

  • Tip #3: 

    Walk on the paths, avoid tall grass. This willhelp you avoid unfortunate encounters with ticks.

  • Tip #4: 

    Use mosquito or insect nets to cover yourself. Have you seen the size of the fire pits? They're so tiny, they can squeeze through anything! So choose your mosquito nets and insect netting wisely.

  • Tip #5: 

    Use mosquito repellent. Repellents will prevent insects from landing on your skin and biting, while insecticides, on the other hand, will be ruthless and exterminate all types of insects.


    It is then up to you to choose between a natural repellent (such as lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus...) or a chemical repellent (such as DEET or icaridine).

    However, these should be avoided in infants and children under 3 years of age. 

  • Tip #6: 

    Some insects are fond of our perfumes. In nature, choose not to use any! 

  • Tip #7: 

    If legislation permits, light a campfire. The smoke will scare away the pickpockets (in addition to brightening up a beautiful evening outdoors).

  • Tip #8: 

    Choose red rather than white lights on your headlamp. Insects are more attracted to white lights.

  • Tip #9: 

    Avoid the times of the day that insects enjoy most, such as dusk to dawn.For short outdoor excursions, plan your short getaways around August rather than June.

  • Tip #10: 

    The main advice is to keep a close eye on yourself. Always be alert to the slightest abnormal reaction to an insect bite. Watch for redness and swelling. Remember to look at each other to check for the presence or absence of ticks. It's not always easy to look at the back of your ears alone!Limit scratching as much as possible to avoid the development of infections. Remove ticks and their heads from your flesh as early as possible.

You're all set! See you on the trails!


Caroline Guillon

Hiking scribbler

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