Modern chemical bug repellents, while generally safe, can be a great way to keep away those pesky mosquitoes. However, these repellants often contain harsh chemicals, such as DEET, picaridin, and permethrin, which have been known to cause skin irritation risks, poison water sources, or even be toxic to wildlife. The NIH reports that these chemical repellents are not safe for public health and should be used with caution. Natural bug repellents like tea tree oil work great when diluted and sprayed onto skin, but what can you do to keep the bugs away from your campsite? Here’s my sage advice for saying “shoo fly, don’t bother me.”
Use sage to keep the bugs away
Sage is a common herb that acts as a natural bug repellent due to several compounds such as camphor, 8-cineole, and thujone, which produce a strong aroma that repels insects by overwhelming their sensory systems. It has an herbaceous aroma that’s both strong and earthy, and can often be slightly peppery or woody in scent. Personally, I find it to be more pleasant than tea tree oil, so it can be a great alternative.
Here are some ways that I like to incorporate sage into my camping experience:
Burn some sage
Burning sage, often called smudging, is a spiritual wellness technique that is also a great way to release the bug repellent compounds. A light bundle of dried white sage or garden sage works best. Place it close to a small flame like a lit candle until it starts to smoke, and then wave the bundle around key areas. While this method is great for banishing bugs, you may need to repeat it every hour to make sure that the smoke hangs around in the area.
But bugs might not be the only thing sage keeps away. In Indigenous North American tribes, such as the Lakota, the Navajo, and the Chumash, burning sage is used in sacred rituals to cleanse spaces, people or objects of negative energies. Today, many religions and spiritual disciplines continue the practice.
Place sage near your campfire
If you don’t wish to wave bundles of sage around, try placing them near or in your campfire. The heat will warm up the compounds, which will cause them to be released into the air. For best results, add sage periodically as the fire burns, and consider mixing in rosemary or cedar for extra potency. Ensure your fire is contained and safe, especially in dry conditions.
Use essential oils
Essential oils are the most versatile way to use sage. 10-15 drops of sage in 8 ounces of water will do wonders when placed in a spray bottle and used on tents, gears, or picnic areas. When sage oil is not diluted, it can cause skin irritation, so if you plan to use it on your skin, make sure to use a carrier oil like coconut oil. Reapply every couple of hours as the scent fades, and combine with other bug-unfriendly oils like citronella or peppermint to modify the scent.
Light some candles
Citronella candles are becoming extra popular for repelling bugs, and you can create a similar effect with sage by placing a few small pieces of sage on top of the wax of a cylinder jar candle, far enough away from the wick that they won’t catch fire. You can also plop a couple drops of sage essential oil into an unscented candle, and that will work too!
These low-effort camping hacks are sustainable since sage is completely biodegradable, so it’s perfect for any kind of camping trip. Best of all, you can sleep well knowing that your bug repellent poses no risk to nearby ecosystems.
