11 Ways To Keep Bugs Away When Paddling This Summer

Summer is the peak paddling season all around the world. The warm weather and favorable conditions attract both experienced and novice paddlers to various waterways. Unfortunately, this weather brings more than just people. Summer is also peak insect season on the water, and some insects can make this watersport downright unbearable if you don’t find ways to protect yourself.

Some of the more effective ways to keep bugs away while paddling in summer include wearing insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin, and wearing full-coverage clothing made of thick, light-colored fabric. Avoid paddling at dusk, dawn, or after a rainstorm. Instead, paddle during the day when there’s a light breeze. Consider wearing certain essential oils to keep bugs away, and consider a bug net when paddling in notoriously buggy areas.

Summer paddling sessions should be carefree and enjoyable, but a swarm of bugs can completely ruin your day. To ensure you don’t get eaten alive or find yourself swatting bugs away from your face all day, keep reading. Below is a list of easy and effective ways to help keep bugs to a minimum when paddling this summer.

11 Ways To Keep Bugs At Bay While Paddling This Summer

1. Wear Effective Repellent

One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes and other pesky insects off your skin and away from your face is to wear an effective repellent. DEET and Picaridin are both proven to help keep mosquitoes and other insects away from your body.

DEET is a strong chemical to apply to your skin, so it’s best to spray it onto your clothing instead. Picaridin is highly effective, but it is not waterproof. Therefore, ensure you bring plenty of spray along with you on all your summer paddling journeys so you can easily reapply when you get wet.

2. Avoid Paddling At Dawn And Dusk

Paddling at sunrise and sunset can be thrilling and romantic, but it’s an activity you should avoid in peak summer months when insect populations skyrocket. Instead of paddling at these peak insect hours, consider paddling closer to midday.

When the sun is out and the weather is warmer, there tend to be fewer insects. Keep in mind, however, that this is also the hottest time of day. Choose cooler days to paddle so you can avoid heat-related ilnesses and insects at the same time.

3. Opt To Paddle When There’s A Light Breeze

Wind is nature’s insect repellent. When there is no wind, insects can fly freely and wreak havoc on your body. If there is wind or even a slight breeze, many insects are far less active. Naturally, you want to avoid paddling on very windy days, as this can be dangerous.

Instead, look for days with a mild breeze. Light wind won’t hinder your paddling experience, but it will help minimize the number of insects flying around you and your vessel.

4. Avoid Areas Near Shore With Stagnant Water

The reason so many insects are found near water sources is that they require water to live and breed. Stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Therefore, you must do all you can to avoid coastal areas with stagnant water, including marshes and small ponds.

Instead, opt for areas with moving water and consider venturing a bit farther from shore. Typically, the further from shore you go, the fewer insects you’ll encounter. Just ensure the conditions are safe and you’re prepared to paddle offshore before venturing out.

5. Pack A Bug Net When Padding in Buggy Areas

Sometimes, paddling into clouds of insects is an unavoidable reality. If you’re paddling in a swampy or marshy area in the summer, then you might want to consider additional protection. There are various bug nets you can drape over your skin, including insect hats and other coverings.

If you’re in an area where there are mosquito-related ilnesses, including West Nile Encephalitis, Dengue, or Malaria, you must be particularly diligent at preventing these insects from biting you, and mosquito mesh is one of the most effective ways.

6. Wear Full-Coverage Clothing

When you paddle in the heat of the summer, it can be very tempting to wear minimal clothing. Resist this temptation. For one, the more skin you reveal, the more likely your skin is to experience sun damage. It also makes you significantly more vulnerable to insect bites.

Whenever you paddle in full sun or in buggy areas, wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. Breathable and UV-protectant long-sleeve shirts and pants are ideal, as they protect your body from sunlight and stinging insects.

7. Remember Bug Populations Can Spike After A Rain Storm

Another weather factor you should consider to avoid bugs is rain. Typically, insect populations increase and hatch one to three days after a rainstorm. The influx of bugs is due to increased puddles and stagnant water.

Whenever possible, try to paddle during long stretches of dry weather, as insect populations tend to be normal, and you’re less likely to encounter clouds of hungry, freshly hatched blood-sucking insects.

8. Use Natural Oils To Protect Your Skin And The Water

If you want to avoid using chemicals to keep bugs away to protect both your skin and the ecosystem you’re paddling, consider essential oils. While not as effective at repelling insects as DEET, several essential oils can confuse insects and keep them from buzzing around you while you paddle.

Some of the best essential oils to wear on the water to keep bugs away include peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender. Both peppermint and lavender have calming and cooling properties that can be therapeutic while paddling in the summer heat.

9. Avoid Thin Materials That Bigs Can Penetrate

While it’s smart to wear lightweight and breathable clothing while paddling in warm weather, you don’t want to wear clothing so thin that insects can penetrate it. Thin woven fabrics, including thin cotton, are easy for insects to penetrate.

Opt for durable clothing that is proven to block against stinging bugs, but is also breathable enough that your body won’t overheat.

10. Wear White Or Light-Colored Fabrics

You should also think about the color of the clothing you wear while paddling in the summer. Insects are attracted to several colors, including blues and purples. Therefore, it’s best to avoid these hues. Instead, wear white, beige, or other light-colored fabrics.

Light-colored fabrics reflect light, which confuses insects, including mosquitoes. It makes you harder to spot and follow. Since light-colored fabrics reflect light, they also keep you much cooler than darker clothing.

11. Know Which Insects Are Common So You’re Prepared

Lastly, research your paddling location before launching your vessel. In addition to understanding potential hazards and planning a route, you should also learn what types of insects are common in the area.

Knowing what bugs you’re up against, and how many, will help you plan and pack accordingly. If you don’t know what kind of insects you’re trying to keep at bay, it’s hard to properly protect yourself.