Bothersome Bugs

Campground critters share their home—in the Yukon and in British Columbia

There are two types of campers: those who swat the pesky mosquitoes, blackflies and no-see-ums in the tent, all night, until the buzzing and biting finally stops; and those who hide deep inside their sleeping bag, with a toque over their face, accepting how bugs are part of the camping “recreation” package.

My husband is the former and I am the latter.

Depending on the campground location and the time of year, neither one of us get much sleep.

Location, location, location 

I romanticize my years of living in the breathtaking Yukon. I fell in love with the stunning, picturesque landscapes, the fresh clean air and the pristine lakes.

Our last camping trip in the Yukon was in the month of September. We experienced the dramatic autumn colours and avoided the peak times for insects. I don’t recall being attacked by a single bothersome bug.

I am also not in denial. We have camped throughout the summer months in the Yukon, and the annoying insects have earned a variety of monikers for good reason. Especially the mosquitoes. These pesky little “helicopters” have had their way with me far too many times, leaving me covered in itchy, inflamed, red bumps. These unwelcome visitors are plentiful and on a relentless hunt for blood.

The Yukon is not the only home for mosquitoes and pesky insects. We have camped in numerous parks throughout British Columbia where we have been swarmed and attacked by irritating bugs. Warm, humid days and a creek or river nearby provide the perfect conditions for attracting various insects.

We have been eaten alive on the Bowron lakes and on Loon Lake in the Cariboo region of B.C. We often enjoyed camping at Chubb Lake, about 40 minutes south of Prince George, with a hit or miss when it came to bugs.

Camping on Vancouver Island is usually an entirely different experience. We were surprised one weekend at Sproat Lake, and attacked by bugs all night. This is rare. A constant breeze coming from the ocean helps minimize the number of insects.    

Magical moments in nature

I hold my breath, point my camera and try to capture this unexpected sighting of wildlife. These fleeting seconds often become only a precious mental picture as the critter disappears into the camouflage of the forest.

My husband and I have been fortunate to witness many animals in their natural habitats.

Moose have shared their lake with us in the interior of British Columbia. Squirrels, marmots and a variety of birds visit us often.

My husband, the bird whisperer, has the ability to attract birds. I don’t know whether it is their reflection in his glasses, or his body language. They trust him.

We have seen many bears on our camping trips. One surprise encounter was a young bear in a tree at China Beach on Vancouver Island. We were on high alert for the rest of our hike, since a mother bear was likely nearby. 

Campground critters share their home

It is always an awe-inspiring, magical moment to observe wildlife on our camping adventures. I am constantly reminded how we are part of this delicate balance in nature. We are visitors in their home.

As for the annoying bugs … unwelcome insects are part of the camping experience, depending on the time of year and where we are camping. There are insect repellants on the market and homemade concoctions, with a variety of results. It all comes down to trial and error, and personal preference.My first line of defence is always my superhero husband. He will stay awake all night slaying every pesky bug in our tent until the buzzing and biting finally stops.

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