Why gamekeepers are not bitten by mosquitoes: I learned their secret method, now I use it myself in nature if I forgot the spray

I spend a considerable part of my free time in nature - either I go into the forest to pick mushrooms, then I go fishing, or I go on vacation with my family to little-known wild places. And everywhere the same misfortune awaits me - buzzing blood-sucking insects that are capable of “biting to death” if suddenly the repellent is left at home or runs out. Therefore, we have to constantly test traditional methods against mosquitoes. I have to admit that they work no worse than store-bought sprays, aerosols, spirals and creams.

Fumigation with smoke

Finding myself in the forest for the first time without mosquito spray, I decided to scare away the buzzing bloodsuckers with smoke. To do this, I found a spruce tree, collected some litter under it, poured it into a metal mug and set it on fire. The result was not long in coming - some of the mosquitoes hastily retreated. However, the needles quickly decayed, and I again heard a nasty squeak nearby. I had to look for spruce again and replenish supplies of litter, filling the free pockets in my backpack with it.

After that, I had several more outings during which I discovered that I had forgotten the repellent at home. Since coniferous trees do not grow everywhere, we had to escape from mosquitoes in other ways:

• Throw oak bark pre-soaked in water into the fire. The smoke from burning branches or logs in itself repels insects, but after such an additive it becomes unbearable for them.The only problem is that it is not possible to make fires everywhere due to the threat of forest fires. Being in the “forbidden” territory, I isolated the source of fire from the environment - for example, I set fire to only the bark, pouring it into a tall tin can. There was no combustion as such; the bark slowly smoldered. True, in this case the effect of the smoke was not so pronounced.
  
• Fumigate tents, things and yourself with wormwood. According to popular belief, devils run away from this plant, and according to my observations, it perfectly drives out mosquitoes and various midges.
  
• Light a torch soaked in valerian. I still don’t understand how I got the idea to wrap a stick in an old rag found in the car, and then soak it in tincture of valerian, which came from God knows where in the glove compartment. However, the improvisation worked: I could calmly fish until the morning without being subjected to multiple mosquito bites.

Lifehack from huntsmen - tinder fungus

During one of my hikes in the forest, I met rangers. Each of them had a strange-looking amulet hanging around their neck - a can of stew, suspended on a thin rope. As I got closer, I noticed another oddity - a thin stream of smoke was wafting from each can.

Being intrigued, I could not resist asking what kind of device this was, to which I received a simple answer. Since rangers have to visit places every day where mosquitoes literally hover in clouds, they do not want to use “chemicals” that are hazardous to health. Instead of sprays, aerosols and creams, they use tinder fungus. This mushroom is found in the forest (most often it can be seen on birch trees), cut into slices like bread, set on fire and placed in cans. And in order not to carry these cans in their hands, they hang them around their necks.True, there is one condition: the tinder fungus must be “dead” and moist inside.

From that moment on, I myself began to use this method. Sometimes, knowing that there are a lot of birch trees growing in the place where I’m going, I deliberately don’t take repellent with me.

Plants with a strong smell

Smoke is good when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away. But it happens that there is no opportunity or desire to burn anything, or you just get tired of breathing smoke and want clean air. In such situations, I try to find one of the following plants:

• Yarrow. Its leaves and flowers contain strong aromatic substances. It is enough to pick a few stems, mash them in your hands to release more juice, and rub all exposed areas of the skin.
• Tansy. It repels flying bloodsuckers less aggressively, but its effect is still noticeable. With it I do the same thing as with yarrow, but to be sure, I make a few more small bouquets, lightly rub them with my fingers to make the smell stronger, and then attach them to clothes and a hat.
• Elder. The method of use is still the same - rub the leaves between your palms and then rub them on all places on the body that are not covered by clothing.

Now you know how to protect yourself from mosquito bites without having a chemical repellent on hand. I hope my experience will be useful to you during your outdoor recreation.