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The Ultimate ‘Bug Off!’ Shopping List for Your RV

| Updated May 25, 2023

If there’s one bad thing about camping, it’s bugs. So, I’ve made a shopping list of the best products to combat bugs on your next RV trip…

I try to appreciate all of nature’s creatures but, boy, do bugs bug me! While I respect bees, ants, and other insects, I have no mercy for mosquitos, no-see-ums, and ticks. 

I do everything I can to keep them away from us and our dog but I am also prepared for when they manage to bite us. 

So, this list includes everything from screen tents to repellents to bite treatments to give you a full line of defense… and offense… against bugs!

If you buy something through our links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our lights on so we can continue to provide helpful resources for RVers. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast

OFF!Cast Mosquite Forecast Map

Before I jump into the best products, I wanted to introduce you to a really cool resource I just learned of. This OFF!Cast Mosquito predicts the local mosquito activity anywhere across the US up to seven days in advance. It's based on mosquito biology!

This tool was created using an algorithm co-developed by SC Johnson Institute of Insect Science for Family Health in partnership with Google Cloud and Climate Engine.

With OFF!Cast, you can now get your local mosquito forecast as easily as your local weather forecast. This can help anyone looking to travel or to do any outdoor activities across the US, to prepare and plan ahead.

Pretty cool, huh?!

10 Best Products to Combat Bugs While Camping

You’ll be ready to battle the little buggers on your next trip with the following deterrents and treatments. There’s something for everyone on this list or even everything for one very determined bug-despiser (like me!)

To make it easy for you, I’ve put all of the items below on our Outside the RV – Camping Essentials list on Amazon. Just click on that link to see all of the products on that list, or click on the individual links below for certain products.

CLAM Quick-Set Screen Tent

Bugs can’t bite you if they can’t get to you! That’s why this screen tent is at the top of the list. 

It’s easy to set up with a pop-up design and quick, too. You can have it up in less than a minute. 

Plus, it’s big enough to fit a 6-8 person picnic table inside. It’s just about 12’x12’ with 110 square feet of interior space.

This screen tent is quite large and a bit pricey. So, if you’re looking for some other options, you can check out our 7 Best Screen Rooms for Camping.

Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller

Screen rooms keep the majority of biting and stinging bugs out, but some always seem to find their way in. That’s where this second line of defense comes in.

The Thermacell Patio Shield creates a 15-foot zone of protection against mosquitos. It uses unscented repellent mats with naturally occurring repellents found in plants. The mats last up to 4 hours, which is perfect for peak mosquito time in the evenings.

This is a no mess, no DEET, no spray, no cord, no battery, and no on-skin chemicals option. It comes in several different colors but, more importantly, has 4 stars with over 40,000 reviews.

Yaya Tick Ban

Mosquitos aren’t our only enemy. Ticks are becoming a bigger problem every year for both humans and pets. They’re now in more regions than ever before and are still spreading.

Yaya Tick Ban is an organic extra strength tick repellent. It’s made with essential oils and all-natural, DEET-free ingredients.

Best of all, adults, kids, and dogs can use it! So, it’s an excellent product for the whole family. 

If you’re traveling to tick regions, be sure to check out How to Keep Ticks Off Dogs & Out of Your RV.

The Tick Key

We all know how persistent bugs can be. So, no matter how hard we try to prevent bites, we still need to be prepared for them. 

And ticks are the worst biters since they latch on and don’t let go!

The Tick Key is a must-have if you’re traveling in tick regions. I’ve probably recommended this product more than any other bug defense product and I’ll continue to do so. It works that well!

It’s a simple tick removal tool that you can clip to your key ring, backpack, or easily keep anywhere else. It’s simple but very effective.

Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme

Buzz Away is an excellent bug repellent for both mosquitos and ticks. It’s a combination of several essential oils, including citronella, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint, and more. So, it naturally deters mosquitos and ticks and smells good, too!

As a botanical formula, it’s DEET-free and safe for kids to use. 

OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray

If you’re more worried about bites than chemicals, then this is a more powerful bug repellent for you. It’s formulated with 25% DEET and repels mosquitos, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers.

This dual-pack is a powder-dry formula so it’s not oily or greasy. Application is also really easy since it’s a continuous aerosol spray.

Citronella Candles

Don’t ask me why, but mosquitos really don’t like citronella. This 3-pack of citronella candles is perfect for your outdoor table and sitting area. These candles can be used indoors, too. 

The clean fragrance is calming for you yet irritating for biting bugs, so it’s a win-win for you! You can enjoy your meal, read, or play boardgames outside a lot more with this candle nearby.

Coghlan’s Mosquito Net

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution. This mosquito net is just that: a mosquito net. 

You can string it up however it suits you and then fold it down into a tiny lightweight bundle. It’s useful around the campground as well as out on hikes, especially if you want to have a picnic. 

StingEze Max Bug Bite Relief

If little buggers still manage to bite or sting you after all of these defenses, you’ll want StingEze on hand. I’ve tried a lot of different bite relief creams and this one works the best.

The sooner you put it on, the better. It’ll stop the pain from bites and stings and ease the itching. And it’ll keep bringing you relief when you reapply.

Mike and Jennifer's Great Lakes Bundle – 2 ebooks!

The Ultimate 'Bug Off!' Shopping List for Your RV 1

This bundle is our popular Upper Peninsula RV Adventure Guide PLUS our newest Adventure Guide – The Great Lakes Shoreline Tour! Both ebooks will give you plenty of ideas and resources to enjoy this part of the US.

Explore this Bundle and plan your next trip!


Mike Wendland

Published on 2022-04-08

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

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